Koh, Yvaine Yee WoenYvaine Yee WoenKohProf. TANG So Kum, CatherineCatherineProf. TANG So KumChen, L.L.ChenYeung, Wei-Jun, JeanWei-Jun, JeanYeung2021-11-222021-11-222020Koh, Y. Y. W., Yeung, W. J., Chen, L. X., & Tang, So. K. (13-15 May 2020). Investigating the relationship of family-related factors and anxiety among Singaporean working fathers and mothers during pregnancy. 16th Congress of the European Society of Contraception and Reproductive Health, Dublin, Ireland.http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/6756Objectives: This study aims to examine the relationships between family-related factors and anxiety among Singaporean full-time working fathers and mother during the pregnancy period. Method: Full-time working fathers (N=902) and mothers (N=829) were invited to complete a survey in the maternity clinic in Singapore during the pregnancy period (Mean gestational week = 25.36 (fathers) and 25.01 (mothers)). Validated psychological instruments were used to assess anxiety, family cohesion, family communication and work-family conflict among the participants. Demographic factors such as age, gestational week, family income and educational level were also measured. Results: 11.1% (N=98) and 10.1% (N=82) of fathers and mothers scored above anxiety cut-off during the pregnancy respectively. The average age for fathers was 32.96 (4.56) and mothers’ mean age was 31.12(3.77). Univariate analyses showed that higher family communication and family cohesion were protective factors against anxiety however, higher work-family conflict was correlated with higher anxiety for both fathers and mothers. Younger working mothers also reported with higher anxiety level. Family income, educational level and gestational week were not significant predictors for paternal or maternal anxiety. In the multivariate analyses, the family factors remained strong predictors for anxiety for both fathers and mothers but not the demographic factors. Conclusions: Good family communication and family cohesion were found to be protective against paternal and maternal anxiety during the pregnancy. Psychosocial prevention and intervention should target to enhance family well-being as a whole during the pregnancy in order to protect couples against anxiety. Work-family conflict was found to predict higher anxiety level in both working fathers and mothers. Workplace support regarding pregnancy and childcare should be encouraged. Familyfriendly workplace practices could be beneficial to reduce work-family conflict hence reduce the risk of anxiety among Singaporean expectant couples.enConference Paper