Emmanuel, Elizabeth (2012) Quality of life as a fabric in childbearing women and the threads of social support. In: Proceedings of 38th International Mental Health Nursing Conference. pp. 1-19. From: ACMHN's 38th International Mental Health Nursing Conference, 3-5 October, 2012, Darwin, NT, Australia. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Objective: Based on data from a cohort of childbearing women in the perinatal period, the purpose of this analysis was to explore social support and demographic predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) (mental and physical).

Design: Longitudinal

Sample: Three public hospitals in metropolitan Brisbane, Australia.

Participants: 473 women recruited at 36 weeks of pregnancy, and 6 and 12 weeks following childbirth.

Methods: The Short Form-12 (SF-12) Version 2 Health Survey was used to measure the mental and physical domains of HRQoL. Social support was measured using the Maternal Social Support Scale (MSSS).

Results: Mean scores of HRQoL for both the mental and physical domains were lower than population norms. Social support was found to be a significant and consistent predictor of higher HRQoL scores, particularly in the physical domain at 12 weeks following child birth, and mental domain during the perinatal period. The relationship between social support and HRQoL was found to be independent of other factors including education, length of relationship with partner, age, parity and antenatal visit. The only other significant predictor was length of relationship with partner in the mental domain at 36 weeks of pregnancy.

Conclusion: Social support is a significant and consistent thread in the fabric of a mother's HRQoL during the perinatal period. Mental health nurses and midwives need to assess social support, rather than making assumptions based on demographic factors. Weakened social support compromises a mother's HRQoL.

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