The Relationship Between Fetal Health Anxiety, Spiritual Well-Being, and Perceived Social Support in High-Risk Pregnant Women in Türkiye.

Abstract

Fetal health anxiety during pregnancy is considered one of the most common and intense types of anxiety experienced. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between fetal health anxiety, spiritual well-being, and perceived social support levels in hospitalized pregnant women with high-risk pregnancies. This descriptive study was carried out between March and August 2024 with 175 pregnant women diagnosed with high-risk pregnancies in the obstetrics department of a medical faculty hospital in Türkiye. Data were collected using a descriptive characteristics form, the fetal health anxiety inventory (FHAI), the three-factor spiritual well-being scale (SWBS), and the multidimensional perceived social support scale (MSPSS). Hospitalized women with high-risk pregnancies reported low levels of fetal health anxiety and high levels of perceived social support. It was found that pregnant women with higher educational levels and those using medication regularly had higher perceived social support levels. It was determined that the anomie subdimension of the SWBS significantly differed based on pregnancy status, while the transcendence and harmony with nature subdimensions showed significant differences based on income level. An increase in the harmony with nature score resulted in a 0.282-unit increase in the perceived social support score (β = 0.282; p = 0.005). Similarly, an increase in the anomie subdimension score led to a 0.211-unit increase in the fetal health anxiety score (β = 0.211; p = 0.005). Health professionals, in addition to providing medical interventions in high-risk pregnancies, can offer holistic care by strengthening spiritual care and social support networks.