Effective social support

Antecedents and consequences of partner support during pregnancy

Bibliographic Data

ID18991237
AuthorsChristine Rini (0000-0002-3169-3626, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, corresponding author), Christine Dunkel Schetter (0000-0003-0965-1742, University of California, Los Angeles, corresponding author), Calvin J Hobel (Cedars-Sinai Medical Center), Laura M Glynn (0000-0001-5903-8685, University of California, Irvine), Curt A Sandman (0000-0003-3876-8528, University of California, Irvine)
Year2006
Volume13
Issue2
Pages207-229
Publication date2006-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenuePersonal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1350-4126 • E-ISSN: 1475-6811
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1475-6811.2006.00114.x
OpenAlexW2128380431
LanguageEN
Citations received51
References cited104

This longitudinal study investigated a new conceptualization of the effectiveness of social support attempts called social support effectiveness (SSE) that takes into account the quantity and quality of support attempts and the extent to which they meet the needs of recipients. SSE was assessed in a sample of 176 pregnant women with regard to their partners’ social support behaviors. Potential antecedents of SSE were investigated, including individual and relationship variables. In addition, it was hypothesized that women who appraised their partner’s support as more effective would have lower prenatal anxiety, both concurrently (in mid‐pregnancy) and prospectively (in late pregnancy). Factor analyses confirmed that all hypothesized aspects of SSE contributed to a unitary factor of SSE. Structural equation modeling was used to test the proposed antecedents and consequences of SSE. Results revealed that women’s ratings of the effectiveness of partner support were predicted by their interpersonal orientation (adult attachment, network orientation, kin individualism–collectivism, and social skills) and by characteristics of their relationships with their partners (relationship quality, emotional closeness and intimacy, and equity). Furthermore, women who perceived themselves to have more effective partner support reported less anxiety in mid‐pregnancy and showed a reduction in anxiety from mid‐ to late pregnancy. Findings are discussed with regard to implications for advancing research on social support processes, especially within relationship contexts

Anxiety · Closeness · Conceptualization · Developmental psychology · Partner effects · Social support · Structural equation modeling · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Clinical Psychology · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Psychology · Social Psychology