Abstract
Pregnancy represents a pivotal period in a woman’s life, characterised by substantial physical, mental, and psychological transformations. It often presents multiple challenges to women’s health and wellbeing. Some of these challenges can be alleviated with appropriate support from women’s partners, family, friends, and wider community. It is well documented that presence or lack of social support strongly influence the pregnancy outcomes. However, most of the existing literature have examined the influence of these factors in Western contexts. In this thesis, a mixed-methods methodology was employed to investigate the influence of social and cultural attitudes on maternal wellbeing in Kuwait.
Three studies were designed to explore social and cultural determinants that influence women’s experiences during pregnancy, with particular emphasis on social support, life adaptations, and mental wellbeing. First, systematic review synthesised qualitative research on the experiences of social support during pregnancy in women across diverse cultural contexts. This review discusses how emotional, tangible, and informational support can alleviate or exacerbate stress during pregnancy. It highlights the dual role that social support can play in contributing to maternal wellbeing and distress.
Next, a qualitative study examined the experiences of Kuwaiti women regarding social support and pregnancy-related lifestyle changes, with a focus on culturally specific factors. Based on in-depth interviews, the study analyses how cultural norms, gender roles, and familial expectations influence women's perceptions of social support. The findings highlight that social interactions and cultural norms can simultaneously assist and hinder women’s wellbeing, and advocate for interventions that are sensitive to the contextual, social, and cultural expectations related to pregnancy in Kuwaiti society.
The final, quantitative study investigated the relationship between cultural orientation (individualism vs. collectivism), self-compassion, and mental wellbeing among pregnant Kuwaiti women. The study demonstrates how cultural values influence psychological outcomes, such as stress and depression, through statistical analysis of these associations. Furthermore, the study reveals the mediation role of social exchanges and self-compassion, providing new insights into culturally grounded maternal mental health research.
Together, these studies contribute to the understanding of pregnancy experiences in Kuwait and provide evidence-based recommendations for improving culturally sensitive prenatal care and mental health support.
| Date of Award | 5 Feb 2026 |
|---|---|
| Original language | English |
| Awarding Institution |
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| Supervisor | Mihela Erjavec (Supervisor) & Hans-Peter Kubis (Supervisor) |
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