Network connectivity between partner factors, loneliness, and psychological distress in women with unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion.

Abstract

Background: Women experienced unexplained recurrent spontaneous abortion (URSA) are at higher risk of depression, anxiety, and other psychological disorders. Although social support showed a protective effect on the mental health among URSA women, little was known about the change and role of partnership among URSA women.

Methods: 151 URSA women and 215 women with healthy childbearing history were recruited. Structured questionnaires to assess participants' partnership (partner support and partner strain), loneliness, and mental health. Weighted ordinary least squares models, parallel mediation analysis and network analysis were conducted to address the roles of partnership in the group differences in mental health and loneliness.

Results: URSA group reported higher levels of loneliness and psychological distress, which was partially explained by reduced partner support and increased partner strain. Network analysis showed different distributions of edge weights in mental disorder symptoms and partner factors between URSA and control group.

Conclusions: The women experienced URSA are more vulnerable to mental disorders that may even jeopardize future reproductive outcomes, where the partnership quality may play a critical role. More efforts should be put into developing support service and intervention programs to improve the relationship quality for URSA couples which may benefit the couple's well-being and future pregnancy in a long term.