How the partner's perceived psychological state affects perinatal mental health in Chinese women: multiple mediating effects of couple communication and perceived social support.

Abstract

The association between partner congruence and maternal mental health manifests intricate cultural variations. This study aimed to explore how the perceived psychological state of partners affects perinatal mental health among Chinese women and examine the mediating roles of couple communication and perceived social support. A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 1,654 pregnant women (mean age: 29.7 years; gestational age: 12-41 weeks) from three hospitals in Jiangsu Province. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was applied for data analysis. The results indicated that an unstable partner's perceived psychological state negatively affects perinatal mental health. Couple communication partially mediates the relationship between partner's perceived psychological state and perinatal mental health, and couple communication and perceived social support performed a serial mediation of this relationship. These findings suggest that a partner's psychological state can induce similar emotional responses in pregnant women. However, effective couple communication can alleviate adverse psychological effects by enhancing perceived social support. This study underscores the imperative to incorporate empowerment of primary support companions (particularly spouses) within prenatal social support frameworks. To advocate for the development of a two-way communication model, the enhancement of effective dichotomous communication skills, and the establishment of a supportive communication environment characterized by openness and regularity. This approach ensures that spousal support aligns with women's needs, improving the quality and satisfaction of support while reducing the risk of adverse health outcomes.