1Post Graduate, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, India
2Professor, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, India
Background: Pregnancy-related anxiety (PRA) is common in late gestation and may influence maternal well-being and perinatal outcomes. Perceived social support is a potentially modifiable protective factor, yet clinic-based data among third-trimester antenatal women remain limited. This study (illustrative example) assessed the prevalence of PRA and examined its association with perceived social support among third-trimester women attending a tertiary care teaching hospital.
Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 100 third-trimester antenatal women (≥28 weeks; ≥18 years) were recruited from Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute using consecutive sampling. Women with active or prior psychiatric disorders, active suicidal ideation, major high-risk obstetric complications, substance use disorder, active labor, or cognitive impairment were excluded. Anxiety was measured using the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) and pregnancy-specific anxiety using the Pregnancy Anxiety Questionnaire–Revised 2 (PRAQ-R2). Perceived social support was assessed using the Multidimensional Scale for Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Correlation and regression analyses were used to evaluate associations.
Results: The prevalence of clinically significant perinatal anxiety (PASS ≥26) was 38.0%. PASS severity was minimal (0–20) in 46.0%, mild–moderate (21–41) in 41.0%, and severe (42–93) in 13.0%. Mean (SD) MSPSS total score was 59.2 (11.6), with highest perceived support from family. PASS scores showed an inverse association with MSPSS (r = −0.46, p <0.001). In multivariable logistic regression, each 10-point decrease in MSPSS was associated with higher odds of PASS ≥26 (adjusted OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.19–2.66), after controlling for parity, unplanned pregnancy, and family type.
Conclusion: In this illustrative cross-sectional model, pregnancy-related anxiety was common in third trimester and was inversely associated with perceived social support. Integrating brief screening with structured support-oriented counseling may help identify and reduce anxiety burden during routine antenatal care.
Keywords: pregnancy-related anxiety; PASS; PRAQ-R2; MSPSS; perceived social support; third trimester; antenatal; cross-sectional.
How to cite this article: Bavatharini SA, Vijayalakshmi K. Association of Pregnancy-Related Anxiety With Perceived Social Support: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Third-Trimester Antenatal Women. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(8s): 204-209; DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.8s.31
Source of support: None
Conflict of interest: None