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Cited by 269Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumMaternal and Neonatal HealthcareInfant Development and Preterm Care

Stress, social support and pregnancy outcome: a reassessment based on recent research

Hoffman, Susie, Hatch, Maureen C.·1996·Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
DOI 10.1111/j.1365-3016.1996.tb00063.x
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Abstract

Summary.We present an assessment of studies published in the last decade that consider the relationship of stress and social support to preterm delivery or fetal growth retardation. Included in the review are all reports on the direct effects of stressors or psychological distress; the indirect effects of stressors or distress through health behaviours such as smoking; and the direct and buffering effects of social support. Although an important stimulus for recent stress research has been the attempt to explain racial and social class differences in birth outcome, the recent data show that stressful life events during pregnancy, though more common in disadvantaged groups, do not increase the risk of preterm birth. In contrast, intimate social support from a partner or family member appears to improve fetal growth, even for women with little life stress. Questions unanswered by the research to date are whether elevated levels of depressive symptoms affect pregnancy outcome, either directly or by encouraging negative health behaviours, and whether chronic (vs. acute) stressors are harmful. Additional research is also needed to determine whether psychosocial factors interact with specific clinical conditions to promote adverse pregnancy outcomes. Focusing on intimate support and how it benefits pregnancy outcome could lead to the design of more effective interventions.

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Crossref · 10.1111/j.1365-3016.1996.tb00063.x

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  • Several reports suggest a relation between depression and preterm birth, with risks generally less than 2-fold.

    “Although the results are inconsistent, several reports suggest a relation (risks generally rose <2–fold) between depression and preterm birth.54, 55”

    From Epidemiology and causes of preterm birth (2008) · cites this paper as [55]

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Authors
Hoffman, S., & Hatch, M. C.
Affiliations
  • Columbia University (US)
  • Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (US)
Corresponding author
Hoffman, Susie
ORCID
Venue
Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology
Publisher
Wiley
Published
1996-10
Volume
10
Issue
4
Pages
380-405
ISSN
  • 0269-5022 (ISSN-L)
  • 1365-3016
DOI
10.1111/j.1365-3016.1996.tb00063.x
OpenAlex
W2114808021
Cited by
269
References
145
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 11 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 9 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 8
FWCI
0.66
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor, 4206 d)
Locations
  • Paediatric and Perinatal Epidemiology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
  • Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
Keywords
psychological stress, social support, pregnancy outcomes, preterm birth, fetal growth restriction, life events, smoking during pregnancy, depressive symptoms, family support, chronic stress, psychosocial factors, health behavior
MeSH terms
Black or African American, Female, Humans, Life Change Events, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Outcome, Research, Social Support, Socioeconomic Factors, Stress, Physiological, Stress, Psychological, United States, Global Health, Health Behavior, White People

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