Table 4 Subgroup analysis of odds ratios of association between low social support and antenatal anxiety (N = 9, 2000–2019) (random effect model)

Income of country

High-income

5

2.34 (1.76, 3.11)

23.6%, p = 0.264

Low and middle-income

4

2.15 (1.06, 4.38)

91.3%, p < 0.001

Study design

Cross-sectional study

3

2.27 (1.46, 3.53)

88.7%, p < 0.001

Longitudinal study

6

2.59 (1.87, 3.57)

44.2%, P = 0.11

Median sample size^a

< 376

4

2.28 (1.72, 3.02)

0%, P = 0.429

>  = 376

5

2.17 (1.16, 4.07)

91.9%, p < 0.001

Publication year

2015+ 

7

2.27 (1.36, 3.78)

91.7%, P < 0.001

Before 2015

2

2.16 (1.007, 4.63)

34.7%, P = 0.216