1. Objectifs

Intentions :
« [A]ssess the direct and indirect effects of psychosocial and biomedical factors on the duration of pregnancy and fetal growth. » (p. 240)

Questions/Hypothèses :
What are « [...] the causes and mechanisms related to preterm delivery and intrauterine growth restriction [...]. » (p. 240)

2. Méthode

Échantillon/Matériau :
2685 femmes enceintes

Instruments :
Questionnaires auto-administré

Type de traitement des données :
Analyse statistique

3. Résumé

« Theoretical models explaining pregnancy length and fetal growth were developed and tested, using path analysis. In order to reduce the number of variables from the questionnaire, a principal component analysis was performed, and the three most important new dimensions were retained as explanatory variables in the final models. The biophysical score, covering both maternal age and the pre-pregnancy body mass index, was the only variable statistically associated with pregnancy length. Smoking, obstetric history, maternal health and biophysical indices were direct predictors of fetal growth. Perceived stress, social support and self-esteem were not directly related to pregnancy outcomes, but were determinants of smoking and the above-mentioned biomedical variables. More studies are needed to identify the mechanisms by which adverse psychosocial factors are translated into adverse biological effects. » (p. 240)