The Fear of Childbirth and Social Support in Adolescent Pregnancy

Objective: Social support may be effective in alleviating fear associated with childbirth in pregnant adolescent women. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between social support and fear of childbirth in adolescent pregnancy. Design: The study was designed to assess any relationships between the social support perceived by pregnant adolescent women and the fear of childbirth that they experienced. through a cross-sectional analysis. Setting: The study was carried out in the obstetrics outpatient clinics of a public hospital. Patients: The study was conducted with 100 pregnant adolescents. Measurements: A personal information form, the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Wijma Birth Expectancy/Experience Scale Version A (WDEQ-A) were applied for data collection. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine relationships between 2 continuous variables. Results: There was a significant negative correlation between the mean scores on the MSPSS and the WDEQ-A (r = - 0.345, P <.01). The MSPSS score was found to be associated with gestational age, residence area, and type of marriage. The WDEQ-A score was associated with educational status. Conclusion: The results demonstrate that social support is highly important for pregnant adolescents, especially considering the fact that the social support received from the spouse was relatively lower among adolescent women with lower gestational age. Nurses should evaluate the family of the pregnant adolescent, especially their partner, in terms of the social support that they provide to the pregnant woman and should support these women with necessary counseling.