Thirteenth International Conference on Health, Wellness & Society

Abstract

Pregnancy can be viewed as a stressful time in a woman’s life due to multiple physical and psychological changes. The use of positive religious coping and social has been associated with positive mental health outcomes. However, little is known about the relationship between religious coping and different dimensions of social support and mental health in pregnant women, particularly in diverse samples including those who are Arab. This study explores the relationship between religious coping, social support (spousal, family and friend) and anxiety and depression symptom in pregnant women of Arab descent residing in Qatar. Participants were a mostly Muslim (99%) sample of 402 pregnant women of both Qatari (64%) and non-Qatari Arab (36%) descent residing in Qatar. Women were recruited from prenatal clinics and asked about depression and anxiety symptoms, social support, religious coping and other health factors. Women who reported more use of positive religious coping reported less depression and anxiety symptoms. Reporting more spousal, familial and friend social support was related to less depression symptoms. Reporting more spousal and friend social support was related to less anxiety symptoms. Results indicate the importance of positive religious coping and spousal, friend and familial social support for pregnant mostly Muslim Arab women. The final analyses explores whether religious coping and social support buffers the relationship between perceived stress and depression and anxiety symptoms. Interventions that utilize spirituality and social support with pregnant women to improve psychological well-being are discussed.