The Relationship between Spousal Support Levels in Pregnant Women Diagnosed with Threatened Preterm Labor and Prenatal Attachment: Decision Tree Model
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived spousal support and prenatal attachment among pregnant women diagnosed with threatened preterm labor. Materials and Methods: The sample of this cross-sectional study consisted of pregnant women hospitalized and followed in the perinatology clinic of a state hospital between May and December 2024. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form, the Spousal Support Scale, and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory. Regression tree analysis was applied, and the Chi-squared Automatic Interaction Detection (CHAID) method was employed as the decision tree technique. The study was completed with a total of 213 participants. Results: The analysis revealed statistically significant differences between educational level, number of children, planned pregnancy status, and spousal support scale scores with prenatal attachment scores (p<0.05). Findings indicated that women with higher perceived spousal support and planned pregnancies exhibited stronger prenatal attachment, highlighting the positive influence of social support on prenatal bonding. Conclusion: In women experiencing pregnancy complications such as threatened preterm labor, the importance of spousal support in promoting prenatal attachment should be emphasized. The spouse represents a critical source of social support, and both the partner’s and other social support sources’ roles should be considered during prenatal follow-up. Nurses can effectively enhance maternal-fetal bonding and improve psychosocial adaptation in high-risk pregnancies by incorporating these support mechanisms into prenatal care interventions.
Keywords
Ethical Statement
Thanks
References
- 1. Hanko C, Bittner A, Junge-Hoffmeister J, Mogwitz S, Nitzsche K, Weidner K. Course of mental health and mother–infant bonding in hospitalized women with threatened preterm birth. Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2020;301(1):119-128. doi:10.1007/s00404-019-05406-3
- 2. Bedaso A, Adams J, Peng W, Sibbritt D. The relationship between social support and mental health problems during pregnancy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Reproductive Health. 2021;18(1):162. doi:10.1186/s12978-021-01209-5
- 3. Ahmed AM, Grandi SM, Pullenayegum E, et al. Short-term and long-term mortality risk after preterm birth. JAMA Network Open. 2024;7(11):e2445871-e2445871. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.45871
- 4. Bergeron J, Avraam D, Calas L, et al. Stress and anxiety during pregnancy and length of gestation: a federated study using data from five Canadian and European birth cohorts. European journal of epidemiology. 2024;39(7):773-783. doi:10.1007/s10654-024-01126-4
- 5. Kural B. The effect of spouse support on pregnancy and birth fear in the pregnancy period. University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Institute of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Master's Degree Thesis. Istanbul, Türkiye. 2021.
- 6. Li M, Fang Y, Liu M, et al. Dyadic coping and associated factors in women with high-risk pregnancy and their spouses: Do they interact? Midwifery. 2024;134:104006. doi:10.1016/j.midw.2024.104006
- 7. Küçükkaya B, Süt HK, Öz S, Sarıkaya NA. The Relatıonshıp Between Dyadıc Adjustment and Prenatal Attachment in Pregnancy. Acibadem University Journal of Health Sciences. 2020;(1):102-110. doi:10.31067/0.2020.246
- 8. Choe JH, Yun SJ, Kim HY. High-risk pregnancy nursing: Analyzing the impact of prenatal stress, maternal-fetal attachment, and social support on prenatal depression. The Open Nursing Journal. 2024;18(1):1-10. doi:10.2174/0118744346318130240620115100
Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Obstetrics and Gynocology Nursing
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Emine Kurt Can
*
0000-0002-4519-3286
Türkiye
Veysel Can
0000-0001-5982-183X
Türkiye
Nesrullah Ayşin
0000-0001-7087-8810
Türkiye
Mehmet Bulduk
0000-0001-9341-3346
Türkiye
Publication Date
September 15, 2026
Submission Date
November 10, 2025
Acceptance Date
July 30, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 3