Prenatal psychosocial factors encompass psychological, social, relational, and environmental conditions experienced by an individual during pregnancy that may influence maternal well-being, mental health, healthcare engagement, and pregnancy-related outcomes [1][2]. They include perceived stress, anxiety and depressive symptoms, coping patterns, social support, quality of intimate and family relationships, exposure to violence or abuse, stressful life events, financial difficulties, and other social or environmental circumstances. These factors may interact with biological and obstetric conditions and can vary across individuals and throughout pregnancy [3]. Some factors, such as social support and access to resources, may function as protective influences, whereas others, including high stress, interpersonal violence, and socioeconomic adversity, may be associated with increased risk of adverse mental health or pregnancy outcomes. Assessment of relevant prenatal psychosocial factors can support risk identification and inform patient-centered prenatal care, mental health screening, and appropriate social or clinical interventions [4].
- prenatal psychosocial factors
- pregnancy
- psychosocial risk
- maternal mental health
- social support
- prenatal care
Maternal and Perinatal Health Interventions • Obstetrics and Gynecology • Medicine • Health Sciences
References
- Alessandra Biaggi; Susan Conroy; Susan Pawlby; Carmine M. Pariante; Identifying the women at risk of antenatal anxiety and depression: A systematic review. J. Affect. Disord. 2016, 191, 62-77, 10.1016/j.jad.2015.11.014.
- Hamideh Bayrampour; Angela Vinturache; Erin Hetherington; Diane L. Lorenzetti; Suzanne Tough; Risk factors for antenatal anxiety: A systematic review of the literature. J. Reprod. Infant Psychol. 2018, 36, 476-503, 10.1080/02646838.2018.1492097.
- World Health Organization. Guide for Integration of Perinatal Mental Health in Maternal and Child Health Services. World Health Organization: Geneva, Switzerland, 2022. https://iris.who.int/handle/10665/362880.
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Addressing Social and Structural Determinants of Health in the Delivery of Reproductive Health Care. Committee Statement No. 11. ACOG: Washington, DC, USA, 2024. https://www.acog.org/clinical/clinical-guidance/committee-statement/articles/2024/11/addressing-social-and-structural-determinants-of-health-in-the-delivery-of-reproductive-health-care.