Social support in pregnancy: Does it have long-term effects?

Abstract

This paper describes the results of a 7-year follow-up survey of families who took part in a randomized controlled trial of research midwife-provided social support in pregnancy in 1986–88. Analysis of data 6 weeks and 1 year after delivery indicated that families offered the social support intervention had better health outcomes than those in the control group. A further wave of data collection using postal questionnaires was undertaken when the index children were aged between 6 and 8 years. The findings indicated that the initial advantage shown by the intervention group appeared to have been maintained. At 7 years, there were significant differences favouring the families in the intervention group in the health and development outcomes of the children, and the physical and psychosocial health of the mothers. The results confirm the health-promoting effect of social support, and the importance of providing supportive care within the routine maternity services, not only as a means to improve women's pregnancy experiences but in order to promote their and their children's health and development throughout childhood.