Factors related to prenatal depression among hospitalized high-risk pregnant women in South Korea: a cross-sectional study focused on resilience, pregnancy stress, and marital satisfaction

Abstract

PURPOSE: Prenatal depression affects 10%-25% of pregnant women and has important implications for maternal and neonatal health. High-risk pregnant women may be particularly vulnerable to anxiety and depression because of obstetric complications and concerns about fetal health. This study examined factors related to prenatal depression among hospitalized high-risk pregnant women, focusing on resilience, pregnancy stress, and marital satisfaction. METHODS: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 169 high-risk pregnant women admitted to a tertiary hospital in South Korea. Data were collected using validated instruments that measured pregnancy stress, marital satisfaction, resilience, and prenatal depression. Hierarchial regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with prenatal depression. RESULTS: The mean prenatal depression score was 8.75±5.54, and 43.8% of participants had mild to severe depression. The regression model explained 37.4% of the variance in prenatal depression (F=21.07, p<.001). Resilience showed the strongest protective association (β=-.43, p<.001), followed by pregnancy stress as a significant risk factor (β=.26, p<.001) and desire for pregnancy as a significant predictor (β=-.16, p=.018). Marital satisfaction and experience of infertility treatment were not significant independent predictors. CONCLUSION: Resilience and pregnancy stress were key factors related to prenatal depression among hospitalized high-risk pregnant women. Interventions that strengthen resilience and reduce pregnancy-related stress may help prevent and manage prenatal depression in this population.