Objective:
To evaluate the
association between
perceived social support and
anxiety disorders in pregnant
adolescents.
Methods:
We conducted a
cross-sectional study with a sample of 871
pregnant women aged 10 to 19 years
who received
prenatal care in the national
public health care system in the
urban area of Pelotas,
state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern
Brazil. We assessed
perceived social support and
anxiety disorders using the Medical Outcomes Study
Social Support Survey and the
Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview. A self-report
questionnaire was used to obtain sociodemographic information.
Results:
The
prevalence of any
anxiety disorder was 13.6%. Pregnant
adolescents with an
anxiety disorder reported less
perceived social support in all domains (affectionate, emotional, tangible, informational, and positive
social interaction). Older
teenagers reported lower perceived support in the emotional, informational, and positive
social interaction domains, whereas those with
low socioeconomic status reported lower
perceived social support in the material domain.
Women who did not live with a partner had less
perceived social support in the affectionate and positive
social interaction domains.
Conclusion:
Perceived social support seems to be a
protective factor against
anxiety disorders in pregnant
adolescents, with a positive effect on
mental health.