Lifestyle and Psychological Factors Associated with Pregnancy Intentions: Findings from a Longitudinal Cohort Study of Australian Women

Briony Hill, Mathew Ling, Gita Mishra, Lisa J. Moran, Helena J. Teede, Lauren Bruce and Helen Skouteris
Additional contact information
Briony Hill: Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 43-51 Kanooka Grove, Clayton 3168, Australia
Mathew Ling: School of Psychology, Deakin University, Locked Bag 20000, Geelong 3220, Australia
Gita Mishra: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland, 288 Herston Road, Herston, Brisbane 4006, Australia
Lisa J. Moran: Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 43-51 Kanooka Grove, Clayton 3168, Australia
Helena J. Teede: Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 43-51 Kanooka Grove, Clayton 3168, Australia
Lauren Bruce: Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 43-51 Kanooka Grove, Clayton 3168, Australia
Helen Skouteris: Monash Centre for Health Research and Implementation, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, 43-51 Kanooka Grove, Clayton 3168, Australia

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 24, 1-16

Abstract: Background: Preconception is a critical time for the establishment of healthy lifestyle behaviours and psychological well-being to reduce adverse maternal and offspring outcomes. This study aimed to explore relationships between preconception lifestyle and psychological factors and prospectively assessed short- (currently trying to conceive) and long-term (future parenthood aspirations) pregnancy intentions. Methods: Data from Wave 3 (age 25–30 years; n = 7656) and Wave 5 (age 31–36 years; n = 4735) from the Australian Longitudinal Study of Women’s Health were used. Pregnancy intentions and parenthood aspirations were evaluated. Logistic regressions explored cross-sectional associations between demographic, lifestyle and psychological factors and pregnancy intentions/parenthood aspirations. Results: In multivariable models, parity and marital status were associated consistently with pregnancy intentions and parenthood aspirations. Few lifestyle behaviours and no psychological factors were associated with pregnancy intentions. Alcohol intake was the only behaviour associated with aspirations to have a first child. Aspirations for a second/subsequent child were associated negatively with physical activity, sitting time, diet quality, lower anxiety and higher stress. Conclusions: It appears that women are not changing their behaviours when they form a decision to try to conceive. Interventions are needed that address women’s preconception needs, to optimise lifestyle and improve health outcomes for women and their families.

Keywords: preconception; pregnancy intention; lifestyle; health behaviour; psychological well-being (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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