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Prenatal subjective social status and birth weight
Dana K Goplerud1, Raquel G Hernandez2,3, Sara B Johnson2,4,5
1Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynaecology
|January 5, 2021
Summary
Maternal subjective social status (SSS) during pregnancy is linked to birth weight. Lower perceived social standing in the U.S. was associated with higher birth weight, independent of other factors.
Area of Science:
- Reproductive Health
- Sociology
- Public Health
Background:
- Subjective social status (SSS) is linked to health outcomes, distinct from objective socioeconomic status (SES).
- Limited research exists on prenatal maternal SSS and its impact on birth outcomes.
- This study investigates the association between maternal SSS during pregnancy and birth weight.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the relationship between subjective social status (SSS) during pregnancy and the likelihood of low birth weight (LBW) and high birth weight (HBW).
- To explore if perceived social standing influences birth weight independently of other known factors.
Main Methods:
- 378 pregnant women self-reported their SSS on a scale of 1 (low) to 10 (high) relative to the U.S. population and their local community.
- Multivariable logistic regression models were employed to analyze the association between SSS and the odds of LBW or HBW.
Main Results:
- Higher SSS relative to the U.S. population was associated with decreased odds of high birth weight (HBW) in unadjusted and adjusted models.
- No significant association was found between either SSS measure (U.S. or community) and low birth weight (LBW).
Conclusions:
- Pregnant women perceiving themselves at a lower social status in the U.S. face increased odds of having a high birth weight infant.
- Maternal SSS is a potential indicator for identifying women at social risk for adverse birth outcomes.
- SSS offers a brief, non-stigmatizing method for assessing social risk in prenatal care.
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