COMPARING PREGNANT UNIVERSITY STUDENTS TO NON-PREGNANT STUDENTS AND NON-STUDENT PREGNANT WOMEN

Authors: Sara L. Sohr-Preston*, Blair Harris & Jacey Fitzmorris

ABSTRACT

Investigators aimed to identify areas of vulnerability for pregnant university students. Pregnant students were compared to other student and pregnant participants on a variety of online self-report measures. Pregnant students exhibited higher body dissatisfaction than males, but not other females. Both pregnant groups reported elevated depressive symptoms compared to other groups. Pregnant students reported lower life satisfaction than other females. Non-student pregnant participants displayed higher pregnancy-related anxiety than pregnant students, but not with age held constant. Differences also emerged regarding career-related parental social support and professor support, with pregnant students and male students reporting lower degrees than female non-pregnant students. Compared to others, pregnant university students exhibited the highest college stress. Findings suggest areas for future research on the needs of pregnant students to maximize prenatal health, academics, and retention.

Keywords: pregnancy, higher education, depressive symptoms, life satisfaction, college stress

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