Table 2 Frequency of stressful events and social health issues by maternal age*

Upset by family arguments

187

55.3

28

51.9

72

52.6

57

64.0

30

51.7

0.29

Housing problems/moved house

144

42.6

23

43.4

66

48.5

38

41.8

17

29.3

0.10

Family member or a friend passed away

137

40.9

20

38.5

51

37.8

42

46.7

24

41.4

0.59

Pestered for money

106

31.3

12

22.2

43

31.4

27

29.7

24

42.1

0.15

Scared by other people’s behaviour

103

30.7

15

27.8

38

28.1

26

28.9

24

42.1

0.24

Left home because of a family argument

90

26.6

17

32.1

38

27.5

24

26.4

11

19.6

0.51

Very sick or badly injured (not related to pregnancy)

81

24.3

12

22.2

30

22.1

22

24.7

17

31.5

0.57

Partner had problems with drugs or alcohol

70

21.8

12

24.0

24

18.0

19

22.4

15

28.3

0.46

Had to stop working or studying (not related to pregnancy)

53

16.1

3

6.0

26

19.3

16

17.8

8

14.5

0.17

Pushed, shoved or assaulted

53

15.9

8

15.1

19

14.2

15

16.9

11

19.3

0.83

Problems with the police or need to go to court

42

12.5

6

11.1

18

13.1

14

15.7

4

7.0

0.46

Mother had problems with drugs or alcohol

30

8.9

2

3.7

16

11.7

6

6.7

6

10.7

0.27

Total

55

100.0

140

100.0

91

100.0

58

100.0