Demographic and psychosocial risk factors for preterm delivery in an active duty pregnant population

The effects of work climate, pregnancy transitions stress, maternal medical conditions, health risk behaviors, psychological health, and demographic c haracteristics were examined among 269 pregnant military women. The study f ound that single and separated/divorced military women were at greater risk for preterm delivery than married women. Unmarried participants were more likely to belong to ethnic minorities, were lower ranking, less educated, a nd reported a greater number of medical conditions than married participant s. Psychosocial variables distinguished the three marital status groups-mar ried, single, and separated/divorced-but none of these variables was relate d to preterm delivery. In a logistic regression analysis, marital status wa s a more significant predictor of preterm delivery than were medical condit ions.