Fox and Worts (1999) found that social support relieves both pain and anxiety during the birth process as effectively as medical support.

Fox and Worts (1999) found that social support relieves both pain and anxiety during the birth process as effectively as medical support.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Social support is more effective
• D. Medical interventions are more effective

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is that social support can be as effective as medical care for reducing pain and anxiety during labor. Fox and Worts found that providing social support during the birth process relieved both pain and anxiety to a similar extent as medical support. This matters because it shows nonmedical, psychosocial approaches can match the effectiveness of medical interventions for these distress factors. The mechanisms involve calming the stress response, increasing a sense of control, and offering coping assistance, which can lessen how intensely pain is perceived and how anxious a person feels. In practice, this supports the value of continuous support from a partner, doula, or trusted companion as a legitimate and potent form of pain and anxiety management during childbirth.

The main idea here is that social support can be as effective as medical care for reducing pain and anxiety during labor. Fox and Worts found that providing social support during the birth process relieved both pain and anxiety to a similar extent as medical support. This matters because it shows nonmedical, psychosocial approaches can match the effectiveness of medical interventions for these distress factors. The mechanisms involve calming the stress response, increasing a sense of control, and offering coping assistance, which can lessen how intensely pain is perceived and how anxious a person feels. In practice, this supports the value of continuous support from a partner, doula, or trusted companion as a legitimate and potent form of pain and anxiety management during childbirth.