Summary of Research Findings on Birth Trauma and Postpartum Social Support
This research investigated the prevalence of birth trauma, the levels of postpartum social support, and the relationship between the two in a sample of 204 women in China. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:
1. Prevalence of Birth Trauma:
52.5% of the participants (107 women) where diagnosed with birth trauma.
Severity of symptoms ranged from 29-112 points on the Chinese version of the City BiTS, with an average score of 45.01 ± 16.48.
2. Postpartum Social Support:
Women reported a higher perceived importance of social support (186.47 ± 40.79) than the actual support received (180.83 ± 40.85).
The average expectation gap score was 11.81 ± 1.92.
The largest gaps were in informational support (4.16 ± 1.63) and emotional support (3.87 ± 0.81), followed by material and comparison support.
3.Relationship Between Social Support & Birth Trauma:
Actual received support was negatively correlated with trauma symptoms (r = -0.253, P = 0.029) – meaning more support received was associated with fewer trauma symptoms.
The expectation gap was positively correlated with trauma symptoms (r = 0.281, P = 0.026) – a larger gap between expected and received support was associated with more trauma symptoms. Informational support (r = -0.426, P < 0.001) and emotional support (r = -0.325, P < 0.001) had the strongest negative correlations with trauma symptoms.
4. Factors Affecting Birth Trauma (Multivariate Regression):
Lower family monthly income was a critically important risk factor for more severe birth trauma symptoms.
Educational level below a college degree was a significant risk factor.
* Formula feeding was a significant risk factor.
in essence, the study highlights the importance of adequate social support, especially emotional and informational support, in mitigating birth trauma. A gap between expected and received support, and certain socioeconomic factors (lower income, lower education) and infant feeding practices (formula feeding) are associated with increased risk of trauma.
