J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs.  2015 Jun;26(2):108-118. 10.12799/jkachn.2015.26.2.108.

Life Stress, Social Support, and Antepartum Depression among Married Immigrant Women from Southeast Asia

• Shin HH
• Shin YH

• KMID: 2292689
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2015.26.2.108

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate life stress, social support, and antepartum depression among Southeast Asian immigrant women married to Korean men.
METHODS
Ninety-three subjects were recruited from local women's clinics and multicultural family support centers in D City. The instruments used were the life stress scale, social support scale, and K-EPDS. All the instruments were translated into their corresponding mother languages (Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Philippine) and notarized.
RESULTS
The item mean scores of life stress and social support were 2.65 and 3.17, respectively, on a 5-point Likert scale. The mean score of antepartum depression was 10.16, indicating that they were generally in a depressive state. A positive correlation was observed between life stress and antepartum depression (r=.59, p<.001). Social support was negatively correlated with life stress (r=-.42, p<.001) and antepartum depression (r=-.39, p<.001). The best predictors for antepartum depression were life stress, marital satisfaction, and emotional support, and they explained 43% of the variance.
CONCLUSION
Antepartum depression in Southeast Asian immigrant brides was significantly associated with life stress as well as lack of emotional support. Emotional support may reduce their life stress and antepartum depression.

Keyword

Pregnant women; Immigrants; Life stress; Social support; Depression

MeSH Terms

Asia, Southeastern*
Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Depression*
Emigrants and Immigrants*
Female
Humans
Male
Mothers
Pregnant Women
Stress, Psychological*

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