Romantic partner support during pregnancy

The discrepancy between self-reported and coder-rated support as a risk factor for prenatal psychopathology and stress

Bibliographic Data

ID2931339
AuthorsLaura M River (0000-0002-1338-3026, University of Denver, corresponding author), Angela J Narayan (0000-0002-9019-8377, University of Denver), Victoria M Atzl (0000-0003-2675-4313, University of Denver), Luisa M Rivera (0000-0002-6979-0595, Emory University), Alicia F Lieberman (0000-0002-0981-0793, University of California, USA)
Year2020
Volume37
Issue1
Pages27-46
Publication date2020-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Social and Personal Relationships (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0265-4075 • E-ISSN: 1460-3608
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0265407519850333
OpenAlexW2945202130
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited30

Romantic partner support from the father-to-be is associated with women's mental health during pregnancy. However, most studies of partner support rely upon women's responses to self-report questionnaires, which may be biased and should be corroborated by efficient, coder-rated measures of partner support. This study tested whether the Five-Minute Speech Sample (FMSS), adapted to assess expressed emotion about romantic partners, can provide information about partner support during pregnancy that is less prone to bias than self-report. Participants were 101 low-income, ethnically diverse pregnant women who completed self-report questions on partner support quality and the FMSS. Self-reported and coder-rated (FMSS) partner support were highly correlated and were each significantly associated with self-reported depressive and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, perceived stress, and partner victimization during pregnancy. Self-reported and coder-rated support corresponded in approximately 75% of cases; however, nearly 25% of women self-reported high support but received low FMSS support ratings. These women reported elevated PTSD symptoms, perceived stress, and victimization during pregnancy. While self-reported partner support may be valid for many respondents, the FMSS is less susceptible to reporting biases and may better identify women facing heightened psychopathology and stress during pregnancy, who would benefit from supportive intervention

Developmental psychology · Intervention (counseling · Mental health · Pregnancy · Psychiatry · Psychopathology · Social support · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Child Abuse and Trauma · Clinical Psychology · Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-Hub