Health related quality of life in Chinese pregnant women at advanced maternal age: a cross-sectional study.

Gao, Ling-Ling; Yang, Jing-Ping; Wang, Dan-ni; Sun, Ke

This study aims to explore the relationship between advanced maternal age (AMA) and health-related quality of life in Chinese pregnant women. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, China between September 2018 and June 2019. Four hundred and twenty-seven AMA women and the equal number of their younger counterparts completed the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Compared with younger women, the AMA women were more likely to be employed; have a higher monthly household income and insurance covered; have a satisfied relationship with their husband and mother-in-law; and had a significantly lower level of physical (SF36-PCS) health-related quality of life and a higher level of mental (SF36-MCS) health-related quality of life during the pregnancy. The association of maternal age with health-related quality of life varies according with the trimester of pregnancy. Maternal age was a significant predictor of SF36-PCS and SF36-MCS. The third trimester was the significant predictor of SF36-PCS while the relationship with the mother-in-law was the significant predictor of SF36-MCS. The SF36-PCS in the AMA women decreased with advancing age. However, their SF36-MCS was better over their younger counterparts. Age-related biological disadvantages may be offset by social/psychological advantages in AMA women.

CHINA; PREGNANCY & psychology; ANALYSIS of variance; CROSS-sectional method; THIRD trimester of pregnancy; HEALTH status indicators; HEALTH surveys; MENTAL health; GESTATIONAL age; REGRESSION analysis; INCOME; T-test (Statistics); QUALITY of life; MATERNAL age; QUESTIONNAIRES; MEDICAL records; DESCRIPTIVE statistics; DATA analysis software; INSURANCE; PREGNANCY

Journal of Reproductive & Infant Psychology, 2022, Vol 40, Issue 1, p22

0264-6838

Academic Journal

10.1080/02646838.2020.1788209