Health related quality of life in Chinese pregnant women at advanced maternal age: a cross-sectional study. (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gao, Ling-Ling; Yang, Jing-Ping; Wang, Dan-ni; Sun, Ke
• Is Part Of: Journal of reproductive and infant psychology. Volume 40:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Advanced maternal age (AMA) -- Chinese -- health-related quality of life -- pregnancy; Human reproduction -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Pregnancy -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Infant psychology -- Periodicals; Reproduction -- Periodicals; Child Psychology -- Periodicals; Women -- psychology -- Periodicals; 612.6
• DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2020.1788209
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-6838

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: This study aims to explore the relationship between advanced maternal age (AMA) and health-related quality of life in Chinese pregnant women. Methods: 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). Results: 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. Conclusions: 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.