The Relationship between Social Support and Prenatal Depression in Advanced Age Pregnant Women in Türkiye: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: Advanced gestational age may cause risks in pregnancy. The fact that women experience social and demographic changes in addition to physical changes in advanced age increases the risk of antenatal and postpartum depression. We aimed to determine the prevalence of depression in advanced pregnant women and the effect of social support on depression. Methods: The research sample consisted of pregnant over the age of 40 who were followed up in the two and third trimester in a public hospital. The research data were collected face-to-face through the data form consisting of the personal form, Beck depression scale and Multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Results: The mean score of Beck depression inventory of 46.3% of advanced age pregnant was found to be 25.95±8.21. Factors associated with high mean scores of BDI; low level of education, low level of partner education, unemployment, poor economic level, prolongation of the marriage year, unplanned and untreated pregnancy. Conclusions: This study shows that there was a significant negative correlation between BDI and MSPSS and that social support has preventive effect on depression of advanced age pregnancy. It is important that advanced age pregnant are followed up in terms of depression by considering the socio-demographic factors in the antenatal period, and considering that social support has a disabling effect on depression. It is recommended to take initiatives to increase the social support elements for pregnant women.