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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
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Social Support in the Perinatal Period: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Life Course Antecedents

Ebony J Biden1,2, Elizabeth A Spry1,2, Christopher J Greenwood1,2

  • 1Deakin Lifespan Institute, School of Psychology, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, Victoria, Australia.

Journal of Advanced Nursing
|July 28, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Early life adversity, including adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), predicts lower perinatal social support for parents. This highlights the need for healthcare providers to consider parents' developmental history when offering support.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal mental health and well-being
  • Developmental psychology
  • Social determinants of health

Background:

  • Perinatal social support is crucial for parental and child health.
  • Predictors of perinatal social support access remain underexplored.
  • Foundations of support likely established before parenthood, per life course theory.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review literature on preconception antecedents of parental perinatal social support.
  • To examine associations between early life factors and support during pregnancy to 18 months postpartum.

Main Methods:

  • Searched multiple databases (PsycINFO, Medline, CINAHL, Embase, etc.) and web search engines.
  • Included published and grey literature from 1986-2023.
  • Meta-analysis of 143 studies using random effects models.

Main Results:

  • Identified 46 potential preconception antecedents.
  • Lower support linked to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), mental health issues, migration, subsequent births, and unplanned pregnancies.
  • Limited data on fathers or relational factors; most studies were retrospective.

Conclusions:

  • A life course perspective is essential for enhancing perinatal social support.
  • Preconception developmental disruptions may lead to inadequate early parenthood support, risking intergenerational cycles.
  • Healthcare providers should consider parents' developmental context in support referrals.
Abstract

Keywords:
interconceptionlife coursemeta‐analysismidwiferynursingperinatalpreconceptionsocial supportsystematic reviewtransition to parenthood

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