Examining maternal social perceptions and stress responses during pregnancy

Pregnant women are sensitive to the emotions and cues present in social interactions. They may exhibit heightened stress responses when support is lacking in a harmonious environment. The objective of this study was to examine the interaction of family harmony and social support and its association with stress responses among pregnant women. A total of 556 pregnant women were recruited to participate in this study. Psychological stress was measured using the Perceived Stress Scale – 10 (PSS-10). We assessed their perceived levels of family harmony (Family Harmony Scale-5: FHS-5) and social support (Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support; MSPSS). They also provided blood samples for measurement of interleukin-6 (IL-6) as a marker of inflammation. Moderation analysis was conducted with estimation of regression coefficients and 95 % confidence intervals. After adjusting for covariates, the interaction of family harmony and social support in association with IL-6 levels was significant (β = −0.23, p = .045); however, its association with psychological stress was not significant. Specifically, the lack of support within a harmonious family environment was linked to elevated levels of IL-6 in pregnant women (β = 0.26, p = .023). Social interactions lacking supportive gestures have the potential to exacerbate inflammatory responses in pregnant women. Findings underscore the importance of supportive social interactions in promoting the mental well-being of pregnant women. Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Ltd.