Objectives: To analyze the relationships between stressful life condit
ions, social support, and depressive symptomatology during pregnancy i
n women of low socioeconomic status and a comparison group of women of
higher socioeconomic status. Methods: Study participants were recruit
ed from four hospital prenatal care clinics. Low socioeconomic status
was defined as no more than 11 years of education and a household inco
me below the poverty level. Higher socioeconomic status was defined as
at least 12 years of education and a household income at least one an
d one-half times the poverty level. All subjects were nulliparous, ove
r 18 years of age, and French-speaking. Questionnaires were administer
ed verbally at the participants' homes during the 30th week of pregnan
cy, approximately. The Beck Depression Inventory was used to measure d
epressive symptomatology during the preceding 7 days. Results: Approxi
mately 47% of the low socioeconomic status women and 20% of the higher
socioeconomic status women scored 10 or more on the Beck Depression I
nventory, indicating a depressive state. Multiple regression analysis
demonstrated that chronic stressors leg, financial and housing problem
s), negative life events, and inadequate social support were all linke
d to high depressive symptomatology during pregnancy. Conclusion: Duri
ng pregnancy, depressive symptoms are common, especially in women of l
ow socioeconomic status, and are strongly related to socioenvironmenta
l factors.