Partner’s emotional reaction to pregnancy mediates the relationship between pregnancy planning and prenatal mental health

BACKGROUND An unplanned pregnancy may be followed by increased depression and anxiety. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the mediating role of partner's emotional reaction to pregnancy (PERP) on the relationship between pregnancy planning and prenatal mental health. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted on 303 healthy Iranian pregnant women during their third trimester. The levels of depression and anxiety were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. The PERP score was also measured using a researcher-made questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the plug-in application PROCESS macro. RESULTS The results showed that PERP score was reversely related to pregnancy planning and prenatal depression and anxiety. The direct effect of the pregnancy planning on depression (c = -.05) and anxiety levels (c = -.02) were not significant; but the indirect effect of pregnancy planning on depression (Point Estimate = -.379, CI: -.523 to -.250) and anxiety levels (Point Estimate = -.560, CI: -.741 to -.385) with the mediating role of PERP were significant. CONCLUSIONS The results indicated that the effect of pregnancy planning on prenatal mental health is mediated by PERP, and in unplanned pregnancy women need to receive positive reaction of their partners toward pregnancy so that they can preserve their mental health.