Family support for pregnant women with foetal abnormality requiring pregnancy termination in China

Abstract

Family support is an important protective factor for pregnant women with a foetal abnormality and can prevent adverse psychological outcomes in this population. This study aimed to explore the importance and influencing factors of family support for pregnant women with foetal abnormalities requiring pregnancy termination and then determine the correlation between family support and women's post-traumatic stress symptoms. A mixed methods study was conducted from March 2016 to September 2017. In all, 214 participants were surveyed using self-reported questionnaires including the demographic, family and obstetric information questionnaire, the Family Adaptation Partnership Growth Affection and Resolve Index and the Impact of Event Scale-Revised to collect quantitative data. Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 28 participants were conducted to collect qualitative data. Of the pregnant women with foetal abnormalities, 35% had obstacles in family function such that family support was low. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised score was negatively associated with total score on the Family Adaptation Partnership Growth Affection and Resolve Index as well as the score for each item on this index. In terms of family support, the demographic, family and obstetric variables hierarchically entered into the regression models significantly explained 20.0%, 26.5% and 2.6% of variation, respectively. In addition, three key themes were identified based on qualitative analyses: intensified instrumental support, inadequate emotional support and insufficient informational support. The findings showed that family support plays a protective role in preventing post-traumatic stress symptoms following termination of pregnancy. At present, family support still needs to be improved, especially in emotional support and informational support. The factors influencing family support may be important to consider for improving family support.

Keywords: foetal abnormality; nursing; post-traumatic stress; pregnancy termination; social support.