The Effect Of Social Support / Physical Activity On Women Mental Health

Background: Studies have shown that social support plays an important role in alleviating the physical and emotional stress experienced by women during pregnancy and during the postpartum period.In addition,physical activity may also be a suitable alternative to prevent and treat certain psychosocial mechanisms,such as stressful life events and interpersonal relationships.Most importantly,these methods have no side effects and are convenient and inexpensive.However,up to now,there have been different conclusions about the role of social support and physical activity in women's mental health.The results of the study need to be further verified and there is a lack of research in Chinese population.Therefore,it is necessary to explore the influence of social support and physical activity on women's mental health among Chinese people and provide theoretical basis and guidance for the early intervention of women's mental health.Objective: To fully assess the impact of social support and physical activity on women's mental health.Method:1.Based on the Shanghai birth Cohort,we conducted a prospective study of 2,555 pregnant women to fully evaluate the impact of early pregnancy social support on postpartum depression in women.2.Based on the Shanghai birth Cohort,we conducted a prospective study of 2,555 pregnant women to fully evaluate the mediating effect of depression in the second trimester on the effect of social support in the first trimester of pregnancy on postpartum depression.3.Based on the Shanghai birth Cohort,we conducted a prospective cohort study of 2,580 pregnant women to assess the impact of physical activity during early pregnancy on postpartum depressive symptoms,and also conducted a prospective cohort study of 2,812 pregnant women to assess the effect of physical activity during the second trimester on postpartum depression in women.Results: Among the 2,555 women,290(11.4%)women had postpartum depressive symptoms.The pregnant women had a high level of perceived social support in the first trimester that the risk of depression symptoms was reduced by 37% at postpartum 6 weeks.The adjusted OR was 0.61(95% CI: 0.43-0.85).2,85.3% of the effect of social support during early pregnancy on postpartum depressive symptoms was a direct effect,and 14.7% was through the indirect effects of depression during the second trimester(mediating effect).3.Among the 2,580 pregnant women,293(11.4%)women had postpartum depressive symptoms.We did not find a significant effect of physical activity during the first trimester on postpartum depressive symptoms;we did not find a significant effect of physical activity during the second trimester on postpartum depressive symptoms.Conclusion: Higher perceived social support in early pregnancy was associated with decreased risk of depressive symptoms at 6 weeks postpartum.The direction of associations between physical activity in the first or second trimester and postpartum depressive symptoms differed by degree of physical activity.