The relation of selected psychosocial variables to single status of adult women during pregnancy

This study examined levels of life stress, social support, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem in a convenience sample of 141 adult prenatal clinic patients during the midtrimester of normal pregnancies. Subjects identified themselves as "partnered" (either legally married or living with a stable partner, n = 116) or "single" (without a spouse or partner, n = 25). Groups were comparable on all demographic and obstetric variables. All subjects were tested with standardized instruments during routine clinic visits. Using t tests for independent groups, analyses showed single women to be higher in life stress (p =.03), lower in tangible support (p =.007), and higher in state anxiety (p =.01). Single women did not differ significantly on levels of informational and emotional support, trait anxiety, depression, or self-esteem. The differences between groups suggest that pregnancy may be a significant situational crisis associated with increased anxiety for single women.