The Mediating Effect of Marital Intimacy on the Relationship between Spouse-Related Stress and Prenatal Depression in Pregnant Couples: An Actor–Partner Interdependent Model Test

Miyoung Lee, Yeon-Suk Kim and Mi-Kyoung Lee
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Miyoung Lee: College of Nursing, Eulji University, 77, Gyeryong-ro, 771 beon-gil, Jung-gu, Daejeon 34824, Korea
Yeon-Suk Kim: College of Nursing, Eulji University, 77, Gyeryong-ro, 771 beon-gil, Jung-gu, Daejeon 34824, Korea
Mi-Kyoung Lee: College of Nursing, Eulji University, 77, Gyeryong-ro, 771 beon-gil, Jung-gu, Daejeon 34824, Korea

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-10

Abstract: Prenatal depression is an important factor in predicting postpartum depression. Most studies have assessed factors affecting prenatal depression by focusing on pregnant wives. However, the emotional and psychological aspects of both expectant parents need to be considered. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effect of spouse-related stress in expectant couples on prenatal depression and investigate the mediating effects of marital intimacy on this relationship. A total of 120 expectant couples from two cities in Korea at more than 15 weeks of completed pregnancy participated in the study. Using a structured questionnaire, we assessed the general characteristics of the participants, spouse-related stress, prenatal depression, and marital intimacy. The results revealed that four actor effects and one partner effect were significant. Marital intimacy and prenatal depression among expectant parents were affected by spouse-related stress. Moreover, spouse-related stress in the husbands completely mediated marital intimacy in pregnant wives, demonstrating partner effects on prenatal depression in pregnant wives. Therefore, it was observed that paternal factors affect prenatal depression in pregnant wives. This warrants the inclusion of husbands in marital interventions and strategies to improve marital intimacy in pregnant wives.

Keywords: prenatal depression; actor–partner independent model test; marital intimacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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