Predictors of happiness among pregnant women: a regression analysis

Background: Happiness can influence on the psychological well-being and physical health of pregnant women. Mood swings during pregnancy affect attachment to the child and negative emotions are associated with increased risk of low birth weight, early delivery, and failure in breastfeeding. Objective: This study aimed to assess the happiness and its predictor variables among pregnant women. Methods: This study was conducted on 480 pregnant women referred to AL-Zahra teaching hospital in Rasht (Iran) in 2018. The study employed a questionnaire consisting of socio-demographic characteristics and the Oxford Happiness Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by IBM-SPSS version 21, using descriptive statistics, independent-samples t-test, ANOVA and multiple linear regression. Results: A total of 88 (18.3%) women had low happiness level, 314 (65.4%) moderate level, and 78 (16.3%) high level of happiness. Their happiness had a significant association with age (p=0.001), education (p=0.041), occupation (p=0.029), marital satisfaction (p=0.001), husband's education (p=0.003), monthly income (p=0.001), order of pregnancy (p=0.001), planned pregnancy (p=0.001), abortion history (p=0.003), comorbid disease (p=0.032), and family support (p=0.001). Out of these factors, marital satisfaction (B=0.205), planned pregnancy (B=0.374), and monthly income (B=0.359) were identified to explain the variance in independent variables in pregnant women. Conclusion: By identification of the predictors of happiness, obstetricians and midwives can improve the happiness level of pregnant women by providing information and eliminating unnecessary worries.