The relationship between perceived spousal support and stress coping levels in pregnant women

Spousal support can help women adapt to the challenges of pregnancy, cope with stress, and improve their well-being. The current study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived spousal support and stress coping levels in pregnant women.

This descriptive study was conducted with 150 normal and 150 high-risk pregnant women hospitalized in the Perinatology Department of a training and research hospital in Türkiye between October and March 2024. Data were collected using the "Ministry of Health Pregnancy Risk Assessment Form," "Descriptive Information Form," "Perception of Spousal Support in Pregnancy Scale (PSSPS)," and "Stress Coping Styles Scale (SCSS)." Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, an independent sample t-test, and Pearson's correlation analysis.

All sub-dimension score averages of the PSSPS were higher in risky pregnant women than in normal pregnant women. Risky pregnant women tended to adopt more helpless and submissive approaches in coping with stress.

The present study found that the perceived spousal support of risky pregnant women was not directly related to their ways of coping with stress. Normal pregnant women adopted a more optimistic approach as a coping style with increased spousal support.