Health-related functional status in pregnancy: Relationship to depression and social support in a multi-ethnic population

Objective: To describe perceived well-being and functional status during un complicated late pregnancy among low-income minority women, and to examine the relationship of functional status to depression and social support. Methods: Hispanic and black women with low-risk pregnancies completed an in terview consisting of demographics, the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 3 6 (SF-36), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Norbeck Social Su pport Questionnaire. Results: Of the 155 women who were eligible and asked to participate, 41 re fused for a participation rate of 74%. Results of the SF-36 showed lowest p erceived well-being in the vitality and physical role dimensions. Depressiv e symptomatology was high, with a mean BDI score of 15 (standard deviation 8.6). Using a BDI score of 14 as the cutoff point, over half of the sample was categorized as having significant depressive symptoms. Significantly lo wer functional status was seen for depressed subjects in all subscales of t he SF-36 compared with nondepressed subjects. Although functional status wa s negatively correlated with BDI score in all dimensions (r =.23-.69), corr elation of SF-36 scores with social support was much weaker (r =.06-.24). Conclusion: Elevated levels of depressive symptomatology are strongly corre lated with lowered health-related functioning and perceived well-being. Soc ial support is not associated with increased physical or emotional well-bei ng but is weakly associated with mental health as measured by the SF-36. (O bstet Gynecol 2001;97:988-93. (C) 2001 by The American College of Obstetric ians and Gynecologists.).