A STUDY OF PRENATAL STRESS, MATERNAL–FETAL ATTACHMENT, AND SOCIAL SUPPORT AS PREDICTORS OF PRENATAL DEPRESSION IN HIGH-RISK PREGNANCIES IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Prenatal depression is a major public health concern among high-risk pregnant women in Pakistan, with limited local evidence guiding nursing interventions. This study examined the effects of prenatal stress, maternal–fetal attachment, and social support on prenatal depression among high-risk pregnancies in Lahore. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 high-risk pregnant women (≤37 weeks gestation) admitted to Lady Wallingdon Hospital and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, Lahore. Data on prenatal stress, maternal–fetal attachment, social support, and depression were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS 22.0 through descriptive statistics, Pearson’s correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression. Results: Prenatal depression had a mean score of 9.68 ± 5.09, with 58.1% of high-risk pregnant women reporting depressive symptoms (41.9% mild and 28.1% moderate–to–severe). Pregnancy stress was positively correlated with prenatal depression (r = 0.51, p < .001), while social support (r = −0.50, p < .001) and maternal–fetal attachment (r = −0.38, p < .001) showed significant inverse associations, and higher depression scores were observed among unemployed women (p = .039), those with poorer spousal relationships (p < .001), and participants with a family history of depression (p < .001). Conclusion: Strengthening social support, reducing prenatal stress, and promoting maternal–fetal attachment are critical for preventing prenatal depression among high-risk pregnant women in Pakistan