Investigating the relationship between social support and self-compassion by improving the adequacy of prenatal care

Getting pregnant care is different due to the psychological problems of pregnant mothers. Self-compassion and social support are the important components of mental health. Women with higher self-compassion and social support can take full care of their pregnancies. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between social support and self-compassion with adequate prenatal care.

The present study is a cross-sectional descriptive study that was performed in 2018? using the available sampling method on 500 pregnant mothers referred to Isfahan health centers. Individuals entered the study if they had entry criteria and no exit criteria, and completed social support, self-compassion, and adequacy of pregnancy care questionnaires. The data were coded and analyzed by SPSS software version 22 and Pearson's correlation statistical test.

The results of data analysis with Pearson's correlation test showed a positive and statistically significant relationship with pregnancy care between the overall score of social support (P < 0.001) and the dimensions of social support such as family support (P < 0.002), support of friends (P < 0.004), and the support of other people (P < 0.001). The results also showed a positive and statistically significant relationship between self-compassion and prenatal care (P < 0.001). There was a significant positive relationship between the subscales of the self-empathy questionnaire, including kindness to oneself, human commonalities, mindfulness and increasing replication, and pregnancy care, but there was a significant negative relationship between subscales of isolation and self-judgment with pregnancy care.

According to the results of the present study, social support and self-compassion as two components of mental health can affect the quality of services during pregnancy. For this reason, it is recommended that health-care providers pay attention to these two issues in order to increase the level of care during pregnancy and thus ensure maternal health during pregnancy and childbirth and the health of the fetus and baby.