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Anxiety

Anxiety Disorders in Pregnant Women: A Study on Perceived Social Support in Palestine

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A study conducted among 305 pregnant women in the West Bank, Palestine, has highlighted the significance of perceived social support in mitigating anxiety symptoms during pregnancy. The research, conducted by a team from Al-Quds University, found that high levels of perceived social support were associated with moderate levels of anxiety symptoms. The study's findings also revealed that unemployed women and those with more children and pregnancies demonstrated lower levels of anxiety symptoms.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study aimed to explore the relationship between perceived social support and anxiety symptoms among pregnant women in the West Bank, Palestine.
  • A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 305 pregnant women recruited from four major hospitals in the West Bank, Palestine.
  • Participants reported high levels of perceived social support, with 265 (86.9%) reporting high emotional support, 245 (80.3%) high informational support, and 261 (85.6%) high tangible support.
  • Moderate levels of anxiety symptoms were observed across both measures, with a mean score on the PRAQ-R2 of 2.83 ± 0.5 and a mean SAI score of 50.
  • Employment status was significantly and positively associated with anxiety symptoms, with p = 0.015 on the PRAQ-R2 and p = 0.005 on the SAI.
  • A moderate negative correlation was found between the number of pregnancies and PRAQ-R2 scores, with r = -0.142, p = 0.013.
  • A moderate inverse correlation was observed between MOS-SSS and SAI scores, with r = -0.402, p = 0.001.

Statistics:

  • 305 pregnant women participated in the study.
  • 86.9% of participants reported high emotional support.
  • 80.3% of participants reported high informational support.
  • 85.6% of participants reported high tangible support.
  • Mean score on the PRAQ-R2 was 2.83 ± 0.5.
  • Mean SAI score was 50.
  • p = 0.015 on the PRAQ-R2.
  • p = 0.005 on the SAI.
  • r = -0.142, p = 0.013 between the number of pregnancies and PRAQ-R2 scores.
  • r = -0.153, p = 0.007 between the number of children and PRAQ-R2 scores.
  • r = -0.402, p = 0.001 between MOS-SSS and SAI scores.

Sources:

  • Title of the study: "perceived social support and anxiety symptoms among the Palestinian pregnant women: a cross-sectional study." BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 2025, 25(1):1-10.
  • BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth - http://bmcpregnancychildbirth.biomedcentral.com
  • Publisher for BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth: BMC.

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