PERCEPTIONS OF LONELINESS, SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIOR DURING PREGNANCY

Authors

AC Panebianco
AAAB Cruz
T Reiss
FR Williams
CP Connolly

Abstract

A.C. Panebianco¹, A.A.B. Cruz¹, T. Reiss¹, F.R. Williams², C.P. Connolly¹

¹Washington State University, Pullman, WA; ²Washington State University, Richland, WA

Throughout gestation, it is common for some women to experience feelings of loneliness and isolation. This may have some negative impact on pregnant women's critical health behaviors, as social isolation has been shown to be related to physical inactivity in other populations. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the impact of feelings of loneliness and quality of social network on physical activity (PA) behavior during pregnancy. METHODS: An online survey was designed and administered by healthcare professionals to pregnant women at prenatal health clinics in the Yakima Valley Washington area. Participants (N=266) answered questions on feelings of loneliness, the perceived quality of their social network, demographics and pregnancy health, and past and current PA behavior. Though we aimed for a diverse sample, participants were included if they could speak some English, were 18-40 years of age, and currently reside in the U.S. RESULTS: Preliminary results reveal associations between moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and the number of high contact social roles (r=0.16, p=0.006). While moderate PA was independently related to social network quality, vigorous PA was not. Logistic regression analysis showed that the number of high contact social roles increased the odds of meeting the current MVPA recommendations (OR=1.16, 95% CI: 1.01-1.34). However, this relationship was no longer significant upon controlling for whether participants met the MVPA recommendations prior to pregnancy (aOR=1.13, 95% CI: 0.96-1.34). A similar trend was displayed for number of high contact social roles and any MVPA participation (OR=1.24, 95% CI: 1.03-1.50 and aOR=1.11, 95% CI: 0.91-1.35). Number of high contact social roles was inversely related with feelings of loneliness (r=-0.36, pCONCLUSION:While pregnancy PA behavior may be related to the quality of social networking and loneliness, it appears the most prominent predictor of PA in this population is pre-pregnancy PA behavior.

Recommended Citation

Panebianco, AC; Cruz, AAAB; Reiss, T; Williams, FR; and Connolly, CP (2020) "PERCEPTIONS OF LONELINESS, SOCIAL ISOLATION, AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BEHAVIOR DURING PREGNANCY," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 8: Iss. 8, Article 9.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol8/iss8/9