PERCEIVED PARTNER SUPPORT, RELATIONSHIP SATISFACTION AND PREGNANCY RELATED ANXIETY IN PREGNANT WOMEN

Abstract

The present study is focused on investigating the relationship between perceived partner support, relationship satisfaction and pregnancy related anxiety in pregnant women. A correlational design was used and sample consisted of 250 pregnant women, including females, age 19 to 45 years (M= 25.86, SD= 4.19) from Government and private hospitals of Lahore. The study variables were evaluated using self-report instruments like demographic questionnaire, Perceived Partner Support Scale, Relationship Satisfaction Scale and Pregnancy Related Anxiety Scale to measure perceived partner support, relationship satisfaction and pregnancy related anxiety in pregnant women. Perceived partner support was positively correlated with relationship satisfaction and negatively correlated with pregnancy-related anxiety. Moreover, Relationship satisfaction was negatively correlated with pregnancy-related anxiety. Perceived Partner Support was a negative predictor of Pregnancy related Anxiety as well as Relationship Satisfaction was also a negative predictor of Pregnancy related Anxiety. The relationship satisfaction acted as a moderator in the relationship between perceived partner support and pregnancy-related anxiety. Women in arrange marriage had high perceived partner support as compared to women in love marriage. The study’s findings highlight the importance of perceived partner support that even if the relationship is satisficing or not, if the support is given during pregnancy, anxiety will be less.