Introduction: During pregnancy and the first year after childbirth, many women experience changes in their mental health, ranging from mild psychological distress to clinically defined mental disorders. These difficulties are often grouped under the broader term psychological distress, which includes both diagnosed disorders and undiagnosed but burdensome feelings such as stress, anxiety, and sadness. Social support plays an important role in the transition to motherhood, as it reduces feelings of vulnerability and strengthens self-confidence and a more positive acceptance of the new life role. It is defined as the assistance a woman receives from her social environment, including her partner, family, friends, and the wider community. Social support encompasses various forms of assistance that contribute to better psychological well-being, more effective stress management, and a lower risk of developing psychological difficulties. Purpose: The aim of this diploma work was to investigate whether a higher level of social support acts as a protective factor against stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy among women in Slovenia. Methods: The theoretical part consisted of a review of professional and scientific literature on depression, anxiety, and stress during pregnancy, which are among the most common psychological difficulties of the perinatal period, as well as the role of social support in their prevention and management. Special attention was also given to the role and competencies of midwives in the care of pregnant women. Literature was searched in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases in both Slovenian and English, with a limitation to publications from the last ten years. The empirical part employed a quantitative research method using two standardized questionnaires, DASS-21 and MSPSS, translated into Slovenian. The questionnaires were created using the 1KA Arnes online survey tool and distributed through social media. Data were analyzed using the Jamovi statistical software package. Results: The analysis showed statistically significant associations between depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as a statistically significant association between perceived social support and the occurrence of psychological difficulties. A relationship was also found between greater diversity of social support sources and lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress, as well as between lower economic status and a higher occurrence of psychological difficulties. No statistically significant differences were found between primiparous and multiparous women. Discussion and conclusion: The study highlights the importance of social support as a key protective factor in reducing stress, anxiety, and depression during pregnancy. The findings emphasize the need for the systematic involvement of midwives in addressing the mental health of pregnant women and for strengthening the availability of social and professional support during the perinatal period.
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