POPLINE Document Number: 073700
Author(s):
MacDonald LD
Peacock JL
Anderson HR
Source citation:
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC HEALTH MEDICINE, 1992 Mar;14(1):26-34.
Abstract:
The authors examined the association of marital status with economic, social, and psychological factors and with the outcomes of pregnancy (defined as onset of labor, type of delivery, live and stillbirths, and birthweight). The study population comprised 1431 white women who were consecutively booked for antenatal care. Birth registrations were inspected. Of 278 women who were unmarried during pregnancy, 61% were cohabiting, 26% were living with adults other than the father, and 13% were living alone. Compared with the married women, unmarried women overall were, on the average, younger, less educated, of lower social class, in poorer economic circumstances, more dependent on state support, and were less satisfied with their living arrangements. Regardless of age and social class, they were less likely to have planned the pregnancy, were more likely to smoke and drink, to book later for antenatal care, and to miss more appointments. In general, unmarried women were more likely to have some indication of depression and to experience more serious life events during the pregnancy. Controlling for age and social class, the categories "married", "cohabiting", and "on their own" showed significant trends from best to worst. Those living with other adults other than the father showed intermediate results. There were no significant effects of marital status controlled for age and social class, and associated social, economic, and psychological circumstances on pregnancy outcomes. 41% of births to women on their own, 35% to women living with other adults, and 11% to women cohabiting during pregnancy were registered by only 1 parent. It is possible that a continuation of the poor quality of life observed among unmarried women during pregnancy could affect the later wellbeing of their children. (author's modified)
Keywords:
United KingdomIndex page
Marital Status
Socioeconomic Factors
Psychological Factors
Pregnancy Outcomes
Birth Weight
Data Collection
Social Class
Age Factors
Demographic Factors
Educational Status
Employment Status
Neighborhood
Income
Maternal Health
Alcohol Use and Abuse
Tobacco Use and Abuse
Maternal Nutrition
Data Analysis
Birth Records
Antenatal Care
Developed Countries
Europe, Western
Europe
Nuptiality
Economic Factors
Behavior
Pregnancy
Reproduction
Body Weight
Physiology
Biology
Research Methodology
Socioeconomic Status
Population Characteristics
Population
Residence Characteristics
Population Distribution
Geographic Factors
Health
Nutrition
Vital Statistics
Population Statistics
Maternal Health Services
Maternal-Child Health Services
Primary Health Care
Health Services
Delivery of Health Care