There is a considerable body of research examining the effects of social support factors,
socioeconomic status (SES) and demographics on pregnancy outcome. However, there
has been little research examining the effects of perceptions of social support on
pregnancy outcome. The initial studies of this thesis examined the relation of scores on
a Support in Pregnancy Questionnaire (SPQ) to pregnancy outcomes (n=68). It was
found that the level of perceived support predicted lower infant birthweight and higher
rates of obstetric complications (methodological issues of the complication measure are
discussed). Furthermore, a small group of women who scored negatively on the
questionnaire and received non-directive counselling were comparable to controls who
had adequate levels of support. [Continues.
