Happiness and associated factors amongst pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates: The Mutaba’ah Study

Abstract

Objective: Prenatal happiness and life satisfaction research are often over-shadowed by other pregnancy and birth outcomes. This analysis investigated the level of, and factors associated with happiness amongst pregnant women in the United Arab Emirates.

Methods: Baseline cross-sectional data was analyzed from the Mutaba’ah Study, a large population-based prospective cohort study in the UAE. This analysis included all expectant mothers who completed the baseline self-administered questionnaire about sociodemographic and pregnancy-related information between May 2017 and July 2021. Happiness was assessed on a 10-point scale (1 = very unhappy; 10 = very happy). Regression models were used to evaluate the association between various factors and happiness.

Results: Overall, 9,350 pregnant women were included, and the majority (60.9%) reported a happiness score of ≥8 (median). Higher levels of social support, planned pregnancies and primigravidity were independently associated with higher odds of being happier; adjusted odds ratio (aOR (95% CI): 2.02 (1.71–2.38), 1.34 (1.22–1.47), and 1.41 (1.23–1.60), respectively. Women anxious about childbirth had lower odds of being happier (aOR: 0.58 (0.52–0.64).

Conclusion: Self-reported happiness levels were high among pregnant women in the UAE. Health services enhancing social support and promoting well-being during pregnancy and childbirth may ensure continued happiness during pregnancy in the UAE.