Partners’ Stress Is Also a Source of Maternal Stress
摘要
Maternal stress is a global concern affecting both mothers and offspring adversely. There are several factors deemed to be significant risk factors for maternal stress, including partner stress. This chapter aims to examine partner stress as a contributor to maternal stress, encompassing the origins of partner stress, mechanisms of stress transmission between partners, psychological and physiological impacts of partner stress on maternal health, empirical evidence regarding partner stress and maternal well-being, strategies for mitigating partner-induced maternal stress, cultural and social viewpoints on partner stress and maternal health, and prospective avenues for research and intervention. Examining these elements is crucial for developing and designing an effective program to alleviate maternal stress caused by partner tension. The prior published studies were combined, presented, and analyzed thematically. The sources of partner stress included financial and work-related stress, anticipation of new roles and responsibilities, relationship adjustments, health concerns, and financial issues. The relationship between partner stress and maternal well-being is interconnected, and dyadic stress is essential in influencing mental well-being. The mechanism of partner stress affects maternal stress through three main routes, including emotional contagion, empathic distress, and behavioral responses. Partner-induced maternal stress affects maternal mental health, such as anxiety, depression, chronic maternal stress, reduced relationship quality, mirroring partner stressors, irritable action, and lack of motherhood adaptation. The physical health implications included hormonal transformation, higher cortisol, cardiovascular issues, reduced sleep quality, fatigue, weaker immune system, longer wound healing, and impaired breastfeeding process. The impact on pregnancy outcome and fetus includes organogenesis and placental growth problems, fetal growth restriction, fetus long-term metabolic problems, preterm labor, early labor onset, and reduced oxygen and nutrient flow. Management partner-induced maternal stress covers open communication, couples counseling and support programs, stress-education techniques for couples, parental leave for couples, and social and community support. Cultural norms establish the basis for maternal and partner experiences. Traditional gender roles significantly influence how partners manage stress during pregnancy. Economic disparities exacerbate these challenges, especially in marginalized or low-income communities. Addressing partner stress through inclusive, culturally informed, and systemic interventions provides a pathway to a more holistic and equitable maternal health framework, benefiting not only mothers but also entire families and communities. Future longitudinal study, especially in eastern countries with a diverse community, employing a family-centered policy approach and an intersectional framework to examine the influences of race, gender, socioeconomic status, and cultural norms on partner-induced maternal stress, is needed to gain a comprehensive understanding and robust recommendation.