Poster #43 - It's the Thought that Counts: Pregnancy Intention and Relationship Stressors During Pregnancy Across Socioeconomic Status Groups

• In Event: Poster Session 18

Abstract

Introduction: Recent policy changes around abortion access have brought to the forefront mothers’ intention to get pregnant and give birth. This intention is important as it impacts relationship support and conflict (Atzl et al., 2021) and maternal well-being (e.g., increased risk for pregnancy complications and post-partum depression; Rahman et al., 2019), which affect child self-regulation (Korja et al., 2017) and health (Aizer, 2019). In addition to these effects, the stress felt between partners during pregnancy can have lasting impacts. Relationship stressors are associated with increases in maternal depression, harsh parenting, and marital instability (Hardesty & Ogolsky, 2020; Sassler & Lichter, 2020), all of which affect child outcomes, including attachment and externalizing behaviors (Fosco & Lydon-Staley, 2020). Although the effects of unintended pregnancy are well documented, there is little research on its relation to relationship stressors. In addition, low SES families experience high levels of stress, and low SES mothers disproportionately experience unintended pregnancies (Holliday et al., 2018). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate associations between pregnancy intention and relationship stressors and test SES differences.

Method: The present study used the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Pregnancy Risk Assessment System collected in Oregon during Phase 8 (2016-2020; N = 7,062; Mage = 30.08; see Table 1). Mothers’ pregnancy intention was measured with a single survey item and classified into three groups: unwanted, mistimed, and intended. Relationship stressors during pregnancy were measured with four binary items: intimate partner violence (IPV) with partner or ex-partner, conflict, and relationship dissolution. SES was a composite score computed from household income, maternal education, and mothers’ employment status; higher scores indicated higher SES (NCES, 2012). Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the associations between pregnancy intention and each relationship stressor and to test SES as a moderator.

Results: Mothers with unwanted pregnancies had increased odds of IPV from a current partner, relationship dissolution, and conflict when compared to those who intended to get pregnant (see Table 2). They also had increased odds of IPV from a current partner when compared with mothers with mistimed pregnancies. Mothers with mistimed pregnancies had increased odds of relationship dissolution and conflict when compared to mothers who intended to get pregnant. Mothers with mistimed pregnancies had lower odds of IPV from a current partner than those who intended their pregnancies. Further, SES moderated the associations between unintended pregnancies and relationship stressors, such that mothers of lower socioeconomic standing had greater odds of experiencing IPV, relationship dissolution, and conflict when their pregnancies were unwanted or mistimed (p<.001).

Implications: These findings are especially relevant when considering policy changes to family planning resources and abortion access; decreased access may exacerbate the greater risk of unwanted pregnancies already experienced by low SES mothers (Holliday et al., 2018). As SES and relationship instability and dissolution are associated with worsened health and well-being (Braverman et al., 2010; Kiecolt-Glaser & Wilson, 2017), an increase in unwanted and mistimed pregnancies will only serve to perpetuate inequity, negative child outcomes, and health disparities in low SES families.

Authors

• Amara Bradetich, Oregon State University - Corvallis
  Presenting Author

• Madeline Nichols, Oregon State University

• Kelly D Chandler, Oregon State University