This is a research presentation from my advanced quantitative research methods class. I generated a research question, selected variables from a national data set, and used to SAS to analyze the data.

1. MOTHERLY JOY
The Impact of Maternal PsychologicalWell-Being on
Infant Birthweight Outcomes
Amanda Rostic, MPH

2. Introduction
■ A multitude of factors can impact infant birth
weight.
– Maternal drug and alcohol use
– Genetics
– Maternal age andWeight
– Pre-existing medical conditions
■ Low infant birth weight has been well-studied
because it is a leading cause of morbidity and
mortality amongst infants (Torche, 2011).
■ Social science fields have begun to explore the
impact of maternal emotional and psychological
health on infant birth weight
■ Research Question: Is maternal well-being an
adequate predictor of infant birth weight?

3. Methods
■ The survey population consisted of
noninstitutionalized women ages 15-44 years
who resided within the United States of America
(CDC, 2016).
■ Institutionalized women were excluded from the
study. Excluded institutions included: prisons,
juvenile detention centers, psychiatric hospitals,
homes for the intellectually disabled, and military
bases.
■ Interesting:
– Approximately 20% of interviews were conducted
with teenagers 15-19 years of age (CDC, 2016).
– Approximately 55% of all those interviewed were
female (CDC, 2016).
• Data was obtained from the National
Survey of Family Growth (NSFG).
• 2011-2013 cycles

4. Methods
Continued
(SAS Code)
■ SAS Code:To answer the research question proc reg was
used to run simple linear regression and multiple
regression.
Sample code:
PROC REG DATA=female13;
MODEL BIRTHWGT_LB1 = FEELINPG;
RUN; (SLR)
PROC REG DATA=female13;
MODEL BIRTHWGT_LB1 = AGER;
RUN; (SLR)
PROC REG DATA=female13;
MODEL BIRTHWGT_LB1 = EDUCAT;
RUN; (SLR)
PROC REG DATA=female13;
MODEL BIRTHWGT_LB1 = FEELINPG AGER EDUCAT;
RUN; (MLR)
• Proc means and proc freq were both utilized
to help produce descriptive information
about the data.
• Proc reg was used to analyze each variable
individually with infant birthweight as the
outcome. (SLR)
• Each variable was placed in a model with
infant birthweight as the outcome. (MLR)

5. Multiple Linear Regression Model
Variable P-value
FEELINGPG (MaternalWell-being) <.0001
AGER (age) 0.090
EDUCAT (education) .378
Results
Descriptive Data:
• The mean happiness rating: 8.1 (scale 1-10)
• Mean age: 33.5 years
• Median age: 30.5
• Mean birthweight: 8.0 pounds
• Mean years of schooling: 13 years MLR Analysis ofVariance MLRValue
F-value 35.4
R-Square 0.070
P-value <.0001
SLR
Variable Measures
FEELINGPG
(Maternal Well-being)
P-value: <.0001
R-square: 0.068
SLR
Variable Measures
AGER (Age) P-value: <.0001
R-square: 0.004
SLR
Variable Measures
EDUCAT (Education) P-value: 0.0002
R-square: 0.002

6. Discussion ■ The aim of our research was to determine if maternal
well-being was an adequate predictor of infant
birthweight.
■ Further analysis should be conducted however, based
on the significant results obtained from SLR and MLR
maternal well-being should be considered a variable
worth measuring
■ Mental health is an important topic in public health.
Awareness, recognition and proper treatment are key
for long-term success. By acknowledging mental health
during pregnancy we stand to help two patients.
■ From a PH viewpoint addressing mental well-being
during pregnancy could be used as method to help
decrease post-partum depression (i.e. primary
prevention)
• Limitations: Based on our study design
we were unable to formally infer a
causal relationship between maternal
mental health and infant birthweight.
• Other considerations:We should have
explored education more as a possible
effect modifier or confounder because
education level often plays a role in
occupation and income.
• Strengths:We had a large amount data
and we did find significance which can
help demonstrate that this warrants
further investigation.

7. QUESTIONS
ThankYou forYourTime

8. Acknowledgement
■ 2011-2013 National Survey of Family Growth (NFGS) Summary of
Design and Data Collection Methods. (2016). Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/
■ Torche, F. (2011).The effect of maternal stress on birth outcomes:
Exploiting a natural experiment. Demography, 48(4), 1473-1491.
doi:10.1007/s13524-011-0054-z
■ What to expect. (2016). Retrieved from
http://www.whattoexpect.com/baby-growth/newborn-weight.aspx
■ Humanitarian Plug! If you are capable PLEASE visit www.rescue.org
there are a lot of worthy causes to donate to! In light of the recent
attacks in Aleppo, any amount that you could donate would be
awesome! This organization helps people everywhere: Africa, Asia,
Middle East, Europe, and the USA.
This is a photograph of the remarkable,
extraordinary, knowledgeable Dr. Kelly Strutz,
Ph.D., MPH
Dr. Strutz served as a pro bono consultant for our
research team.
References