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Ryan N, Leahy-Warren P, Mulcahy H, O'Mahony S, Philpott L. The impact of perinatal maternal stress on the maternal and infant gut and human milk microbiomes: A scoping review protocol. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0304787. [PMID: 38837966 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0304787] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The objective of this scoping review is to review the research evidence regarding the impact of perinatal maternal stress on the maternal and infant gut and human milk microbiomes. INTRODUCTION Perinatal stress which refers to psychological stress experienced by individuals during pregnancy and the postpartum period is emerging as a public health concern. Early exposure of infants to perinatal maternal stress can potentially lead to metabolic, immune, and neurobehavioral disorders that extend into adulthood. The role of the gut and human milk microbiome in the microbiome-gut-brain axis as a mechanism of stress transfer has been previously reported. A transfer of colonised aberrant microbiota from mother to infant is proposed to predispose the infant to a pro- inflammatory microbiome with dysregulated metabolic process thereby initiating early risk of chronic diseases. The interplay of perinatal maternal stress and its relationship to the maternal and infant gut and human milk microbiome requires further systematic examination in the literature. INCLUSION CRITERIA This scoping review is an exploratory mapping review which will focus on the population of mothers and infants with the exploration of the key concepts of maternal stress and its impact on the maternal and infant gut and human milk microbiome in the context of the perinatal period. It will focus on the pregnancy and the post-natal period up to 6 months with infants who are exclusively breastfed. METHODS This study will be guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute's (JBI) methodology for scoping reviews along with use of the Prisma Scr reporting guideline. A comprehensive search will be conducted using the following databases, CINAHL Complete; MEDLINE; PsycINFO, Web of Science and Scopus. A search strategy with pre-defined inclusion and exclusion criteria will be used to retrieve peer reviewed data published in English from 2014 to present. Screening will involve a three-step process with screening tool checklists. Results will be presented in tabular and narrative summaries, covering thematic concepts and their relationships. This protocol is registered with Open Science Framework DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/5SRMV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niamh Ryan
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | | | - Helen Mulcahy
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
| | - Siobhain O'Mahony
- Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, APC Microbiome Ireland, University College Cork, Ireland
| | - Lloyd Philpott
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, University College Cork, Wilton, Cork, Ireland
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Preis H, Somers J, Mahaffey B, Lobel M. When pregnancy and pandemic coincide: changes in stress and anxiety over the course of pregnancy. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2024; 42:395-409. [PMID: 36069499 PMCID: PMC9989037 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2022.2117289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 03/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pregnant women experienced high levels of perceived stress and anxiety at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the course of stress and anxiety in individual pregnant women during the pandemic is unknown. METHODS Participants were 1,087 women ≤20 weeks pregnant in April-May 2020 (T1) at recruitment into the Stony Brook COVID-19 Pregnancy Experiences (SB-COPE) Study, with additional assessments in July-August 2020 (T2) and October 2020 (T3). Growth mixture models conditioned on covariates were used to identify patterns of change over time in pandemic-related stress (originating from feeling unprepared for birth and fearing perinatal infection), pregnancy-specific stress, and anxiety symptoms. RESULTS A uniform pattern of change (i.e. one-class solution) in stress perceptions was observed over time. Participants showed the same functional form of decreases in all three types of stress perceptions over the course of their pregnancy and as the pandemic persisted. Initial level of stress did not predict change over time. Anxiety symptoms had a two-class solution in which 25% of participants had high and convex patterns of anxiety, and 75% had low levels with concave patterns. DISCUSSION Stress perceptions and anxiety patterns of change over the course of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic were different. Therefore, to evaluate the well-being of pregnant women during a global health crisis, it is important to assess both stress perceptions and emotional stress responses (i.e. anxiety). Screening for anxiety symptoms in early pregnancy would be valuable as symptoms may not spontaneously decrease even when stressful conditions improve.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Preis
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
| | - Jennifer Somers
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
| | - Brittain Mahaffey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
| | - Marci Lobel
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
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Becker E, Atkinson L, Gonzalez A, Khoury J. Social support buffers the impact of pregnancy stress on perceptions of parent-infant closeness during the COVID-19 pandemic. Infant Ment Health J 2024; 45:328-340. [PMID: 38196240 DOI: 10.1002/imhj.22096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
Pregnant individuals and parents have experienced elevated mental health problems and stress during COVID-19. Stress during pregnancy can be harmful to the fetus and detrimental to the parent-child relationship. However, social support is known to act as a protective factor, buffering against the adverse effects of stress. The present study examined whether (1) prenatal stress during COVID-19 was associated with parent-infant closeness at 6 months postpartum, and (2) social support moderated the effect of prenatal stress on the parent-infant relationship. In total, 181 participants completed questionnaires during pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. A hierarchical linear regression analysis was conducted to assess whether social support moderated the effect of stress during pregnancy on parent-infant closeness at 6 months postpartum. Results indicated a significant interaction between prenatal stress and social support on parents' perceptions of closeness with their infants at 6 months postpartum (β = .805, p = .029); parents who experienced high prenatal stress with high social support reported greater parent-infant closeness, compared to those who reported high levels of stress and low social support. Findings underscore the importance of social support in protecting the parent-infant relationship, particularly in times of high stress, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Becker
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Leslie Atkinson
- Department of Psychology, Metropolitan Toronto University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrea Gonzalez
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioural Neurosciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Offord Centre for Child Studies, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer Khoury
- Department of Psychology, Mount Saint Vincent University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
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McKee KS, Tang X, Tung I, Wu G, Alshawabkeh AN, Arizaga JA, Bastain TM, Brennan PA, Breton CV, Camargo CA, Cioffi CC, Cordero JF, Dabelea D, Deutsch AR, Duarte CS, Dunlop AL, Elliott AJ, Ferrara A, Karagas MR, Lester B, McEvoy CT, Meeker J, Neiderhiser JM, Herbstman J, Trasande L, O’Connor TG, Hipwell AE, Comstock SS. Perinatal Outcomes during versus Prior to the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Role of Maternal Depression and Perceived Stress: A Report from the ECHO Program. Am J Perinatol 2024; 41:e1404-e1420. [PMID: 36781160 PMCID: PMC11195909 DOI: 10.1055/a-2033-5610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We sought to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on perinatal outcomes while accounting for maternal depression or perceived stress and to describe COVID-specific stressors, including changes in prenatal care, across specific time periods of the pandemic. STUDY DESIGN Data of dyads from 41 cohorts from the National Institutes of Health Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes Program (N = 2,983) were used to compare birth outcomes before and during the pandemic (n = 2,355), and a partially overlapping sample (n = 1,490) responded to a COVID-19 questionnaire. Psychosocial stress was defined using prenatal screening for depression and perceived stress. Propensity-score matching and general estimating equations with robust variance estimation were used to estimate the pandemic's effect on birth outcomes. RESULTS Symptoms of depression and perceived stress during pregnancy were similar prior to and during the pandemic, with nearly 40% of participants reporting mild to severe stress, and 24% reporting mild depression to severe depression. Gestations were shorter during the pandemic (B = - 0.33 weeks, p = 0.025), and depression was significantly associated with shortened gestation (B = - 0.02 weeks, p = 0.015) after adjustment. Birth weights were similar (B = - 28.14 g, p = 0.568), but infants born during the pandemic had slightly larger birth weights for gestational age at delivery than those born before the pandemic (B = 0.15 z-score units, p = 0.041). More women who gave birth early in the pandemic reported being moderately or extremely distressed about changes to their prenatal care and delivery (45%) compared with those who delivered later in the pandemic. A majority (72%) reported somewhat to extremely negative views of the impact of COVID-19 on their life. CONCLUSION In this national cohort, we detected no effect of COVID-19 on prenatal depression or perceived stress. However, experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic in pregnancy was associated with decreases in gestational age at birth, as well as distress about changes in prenatal care early in the pandemic. KEY POINTS · COVID-19 was associated with shortened gestations.. · Depression was associated with shortened gestations.. · However, stress during the pandemic remained unchanged.. · Most women reported negative impacts of the pandemic..
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimberly S. McKee
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Xiaodan Tang
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Irene Tung
- Department of Psychology, California State University Dominguez Hills, Carson, California
| | - Guojing Wu
- Department of Epidemology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland
| | - Akram N. Alshawabkeh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, College of Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jessica A. Arizaga
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California
| | - Theresa M. Bastain
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | | | - Carrie V. Breton
- Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Carlos A. Camargo
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | | | - Jose F. Cordero
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, College of Public Health, Athens, Georgia
| | - Dana Dabelea
- Department of Epidemiology, Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity and Diabetes (LEAD) Center, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Arielle R. Deutsch
- Department of Pediatrics, Avera Research Institute, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | | | - Anne L. Dunlop
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Amy J. Elliott
- Department of Pediatrics, Avera Research Institute, University of South Dakota School of Medicine, Sioux Falls, South Dakota
| | - Assiamira Ferrara
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, California
| | - Margaret R. Karagas
- Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine, Lebanon, New Hampshire
| | - Barry Lester
- Center for the Study of Children at Risk, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Cindy T. McEvoy
- Department of Pediatrics, MCR Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, Oregon
| | - John Meeker
- University of Michigan, Environmental Health Sciences, Global Public Health, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Jenae M. Neiderhiser
- Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania
| | - Julie Herbstman
- Columbia Mailman School of Public Health, Environmental Health Sciences, New York, New York
| | - Leonardo Trasande
- Department of Pediatrics, New York University, New York
- Department of Environmental Medicine, and Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine and New York University School of Global Public Health, New York University, New York
| | - Thomas G. O’Connor
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, Neuroscience, and Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Alison E. Hipwell
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Sarah S. Comstock
- Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
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Bernier E, Brien ME, Girard S. Pregnant individuals with uncomplicated pregnancies display pro-inflammatory immune changes when exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic. Am J Reprod Immunol 2024; 91:e13828. [PMID: 38374807 DOI: 10.1111/aji.13828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024] Open
Abstract
PROBLEM The COVID-19 pandemic has been shown to have a detrimental impact on the mental health of pregnant individuals, and chronic stress can alter the immune profile. However, the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the immune system in pregnancy are still poorly understood. We aimed to evaluate the impact of pandemic exposure on the maternal immune profile in uncomplicated pregnancies. METHOD OF STUDY We collected blood and placenta samples from pregnant individuals exposed and unexposed to the pandemic to compare their immune and inflammatory profiles. We performed co-culture with circulating maternal immune cells and endothelial cells to assess endothelial activation. Statistical analysis was performed using unpaired t-test, Mann-Whitney, or Fisher's exact test as appropriate. RESULTS In exposed individuals, we observed a decreased proportion of Th2 cells (p < .0001) and Treg/Th17 ratio (p < .05), as well as an increased Th1/Th2 ratio (p < .0001). Levels of IL-1β (p < .01) and IL-18 (p < .01) were increased in the circulation of exposed participants, whilst other mediators were significantly decreased (IFNγ, IL-8, MCP-1, amongst others). Furthermore, we observed increased production of ICAM, hallmark of endothelial activation, when we co-cultured endothelial cells with immune cells from exposed individuals. Vaccination status impacted the cellular profile with increased proportions of Th1 and B cells in vaccinated participants. CONCLUSION Overall, we observed a pro-inflammatory bias in the circulation of pregnant individuals exposed to the COVID-19 pandemic, with otherwise uncomplicated pregnancies. Our work also supports an association between the increased risk of endothelial activation/hypertension and SARS-CoV2 infection, which might be driven in part by exposure to the pandemic and associated stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elsa Bernier
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Microbiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Marie-Eve Brien
- Sainte-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Sylvie Girard
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Department of Immunology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Buthmann JL, Miller JG, Gotlib IH. Maternal-prenatal stress and depression predict infant temperament during the COVID-19 pandemic. Dev Psychopathol 2024; 36:161-169. [PMID: 36345652 PMCID: PMC10164837 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422001055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Researchers have begun to examine the psychological toll of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic. Data are now emerging indicating that there may be long-term adverse effects of the pandemic on new mothers and on children born during this period. In a longitudinal study of maternal mental health and child emotional development during the pandemic, we conducted online assessments of a cohort of women at two time points: when they were pregnant at the beginning of the surge of the pandemic in the United States (baseline, N = 725), and approximately 1 year postpartum (follow-up, N = 296), examining prenatal and postnatal maternal mental health, prenatal pandemic-related stress, and infant temperament. Pandemic-related stress at baseline was associated with concurrent depressive symptoms and infant negative affect at follow-up. Baseline maternal depressive symptoms were associated with follow-up depressive symptoms, which in turn were also associated with infant negative affect. Pandemic-related stress during pregnancy may have enduring effects on infant temperament. These findings have important implications for our understanding of the emotional development of children who were in utero during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jonas G Miller
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Ian H Gotlib
- Department of Psychology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
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Levinson A, Lobel M, Preis H, Mahaffey B. Coping with subjective and objective stress during a pandemic pregnancy: implications for maternal mental health. Arch Womens Ment Health 2023; 26:819-829. [PMID: 37555873 PMCID: PMC10842317 DOI: 10.1007/s00737-023-01357-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic heightened prenatal maternal stress, a risk factor for poorer maternal and infant health. There was substantial variability, however, in the extent to which the stress of pandemic pregnancy influenced maternal mental health. Some of this variability may have been due to the different coping strategies used to manage pandemic stress. In this cross-sectional study of 7,383 pregnant women in the U.S. (M = 25.69 ± 8.71 weeks gestational age) recruited during the first and second U.S. waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, we examined associations of objective stressors, the subjective experience of stress, and the use of four coping strategies with anxiety and depressive symptoms. Spiritual coping, planning/preparation, and avoidant coping were associated with increased subjective and objective stress and with greater mood and anxiety symptoms, whereas coping by positive appraisal was associated with modestly lower subjective stress and with lower mood and anxiety symptoms. We also found small interactions of stress and coping in predicting mood and anxiety symptoms, suggesting that fit between coping strategy and type of stress influences coping outcomes. Specific coping strategy used as well as the fit between coping strategy and stress type may determine whether coping buffers or exacerbates mood and anxiety symptoms. The small magnitude of these associations suggests that individual-level coping may be insufficient in the face of the overwhelming nature of the stress accompanying a global pandemic. This work adds to our understanding of coping with pregnancy stress in the context of population-level stressors (i.e., a pandemic or large-scale disaster).
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Levinson
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Marci Lobel
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Heidi Preis
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
| | - Brittain Mahaffey
- School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Health, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
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van der Windt M, Schoenmakers S, van Rossem L, Steegers-Theunissen RPM. Reported experienced stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and patient preferences for the consultation of periconception blended lifestyle care: a survey among (pre)pregnant women. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2023; 44:2243647. [PMID: 37671946 DOI: 10.1080/0167482x.2023.2243647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Revised: 07/25/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 09/07/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess experienced stress on different aspects of life and evaluate patient preferences for the consultation of periconception blended lifestyle care, combining face-to-face counseling with eHealth, during the COVID-19 pandemic among (pre)pregnant women. Using this two-fold aim, we were able to analyze the levels of stress among (pre)pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to study whether their preferences for the consultation modality of periconception blended lifestyle care was influenced by the levels of stress. METHODS A quantitative survey among (pre)pregnant women who received blended periconception lifestyle care between March 2020 and December 2021, from the first until the fourth COVID-19 wave in the Netherlands. The questionnaire used a 5-point Likert scale and measured experienced stress and preferred periconception blended lifestyle care modality. RESULTS 984 women (response rate: 55.2%) filled out the questionnaire. Experienced stress during the COVID-19 pandemic was relatively low and stable over time. The highest percentage of respondents (31.2%) reported to have experienced stress on fertility and pregnancy. 40.4% (309/764) of the respondents indicated that face-to-face consultations could be replaced by digital consultation. Additionally, the mean experienced stress did not differ between the patients who preferred a video consultation (2.60 ± 1.1), or a telephone consultation (2.57 ± 1.2), either a video or telephone consultation (2.54 ± 1.3), still preferred a face-to-face consultation (2.41 ± 1.4) (p = .83). CONCLUSIONS Our findings indicate willingness for wide implementation of telemedicine within health care delivery, and reorganizing of periconception blended lifestyle care toward personalized and value-based health care.
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Affiliation(s)
- M van der Windt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - S Schoenmakers
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - L van Rossem
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - R P M Steegers-Theunissen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Mariño-Narvaez C, Puertas-Gonzalez JA, Romero-Gonzalez B, Kraneis MC, Peralta-Ramirez MI. Pregnant women's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic according to the trimester of pregnancy. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2023:1-16. [PMID: 37942780 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2023.2279039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
AIM This study aimed to analyse the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on pregnant women according to the pregnancy trimester, comparing their psychopathological symptomatology, pregnancy-specific stress, resilience and perceived stress to those of women pregnant before the pandemic. METHODS A total of 797 pregnant women participated in the study, one group of 393 women pregnant before the pandemic and the other of 404 women pregnant during the pandemic. Student-t test was used to analyse continuous data and the Chi-square test was used for categorical data. RESULTS Psychopathological symptomatology was significantly higher in six subscales of the SCL-90-R in pregnant women during COVID-19: somatisation, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, phobic anxiety, obsessions-compulsions, mainly on the first two trimesters. There is also a higher level of pregnancy-specific stress in pregnant women during the pandemic on the first two trimesters, most likely due to the hypervigilance and fears related to the COVID-19 disease. Nevertheless, perceived stress, usually elevated during pregnancy, was lower in women pregnant during the pandemic in comparison to those pregnant before, as a positive consequence of being on lockdown and diminishing the exposure to daily stressful situations. CONCLUSIONS Knowing the struggles these women go through during each trimester of pregnancy can be the key to a better health professional-patient relationship, consequently having a positive impact on their mental and physical health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jose A Puertas-Gonzalez
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Borja Romero-Gonzalez
- Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education, University of Valladolid, Soria, Spain
| | - Marie-Christin Kraneis
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Maria Isabel Peralta-Ramirez
- Mind, Brain and Behavior Research Center (CIMCYC), University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Department of Personality, Assessment and Psychological Treatment, Faculty of Psychology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
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Corno G, Villani D, de Montigny F, Pierce T, Bouchard S, Molgora S. The role of perceived social support on pregnant women's mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. J Reprod Infant Psychol 2023; 41:488-502. [PMID: 35196188 DOI: 10.1080/02646838.2022.2042799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The present study aimed at investigating which sources of social support best account for pregnant women's levels of psychological distress and mental well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS 274 Italian and Canadian expectant mothers completed an online-based survey including measures of perceived social support (from family, significant other and friends), state anxiety, depressive symptoms, and satisfaction with life. Correlation analyses and amultivariate analysis of covariance were performed to explore how social support from different sources was related to depressive symptoms, state anxiety and satisfaction with life. RESULTS Different sources of social support contributed to explaining women's psychological distress and mental well-being. Social support both from family and friends was significantly related to women's state anxiety and depressive symptoms. Social support from friends was specifically related to women's satisfaction with life. CONCLUSION Our findings endorse the crucial role of perceived social support as a protective factor for pregnant women's mental health. In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, our results suggest that support from family seems important in preventing psychological distress, whereas support from friends is also associated with mental well-being. These results may help designing future interventions aimed at improving women's perinatal mental health in life-threatening conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Corno
- Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, QC, Canada
| | - Daniela Villani
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
| | - Francine de Montigny
- Department of Nursey Sciences, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, QC, Canada
| | - Tamarha Pierce
- School of Psychology, Université Laval, Laval, QC, Canada
| | - Stéphane Bouchard
- Department of Psychoeducation and Psychology, Université du Québec en Outaouais, Gatineau, QC, Canada
| | - Sara Molgora
- Department of Psychology, Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Milan, Italy
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Florea C, Preiß J, Gruber WR, Angerer M, Schabus M. Birth and early parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study in the Austrian and German population. Compr Psychiatry 2023; 126:152405. [PMID: 37499487 DOI: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2023.152405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, new mothers and their babies represent a particularly vulnerable group. This study investigates the effects of the pandemic on the pregnancy and childbirth experience, as well as on postnatal stress and depression levels. METHODS An online survey was completed by 1964 Austrian and German mothers who gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. The survey included the Pregnancy Distress Questionnaire (PDQ), the Childbirth Experience Questionnaire (CEQ), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Score (EPDS), the Perceived Stress Score (PSS), and additional pregnancy- and pandemic-related questions. We conducted multilinear regression models in order to investigate which factors predict childbirth experience, stress and depression scores. FINDINGS There was a high prevalence of depression symptoms (42%), though the mean EPDS score was 8·71 (SD = 5·70), below the cut-off for depression of 10. The prevalence of high stress scores was 9%, and the mean PSS score was 17·7 (SD = 6·64), which indicates moderate perceived stress. The pandemic reduced the time spent with grandparents, as well as the help received by the mother from relatives and friends. Not receiving help was associated with higher stress and depression scores. In the multilinear regression models, the most important predictor for a negative childbirth experience was a high-risk pregnancy, while the strongest predictors for high stress and depression levels were low social support and negatively perceived pandemic repercussions on financial, social or health aspects of family life. INTERPRETATION The results suggest that the pandemic had an impact on maternal mental health. While the perceived consequences due to the pandemic negatively affected the postnatal depression and stress levels, perceived social support acted as a protective factor.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Florea
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, Austria.
| | - J Preiß
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, Austria
| | - W R Gruber
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, Austria
| | - M Angerer
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, Austria
| | - M Schabus
- Laboratory for Sleep, Cognition and Consciousness Research, Department of Psychology, University of Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience Salzburg (CCNS), University of Salzburg, Austria
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12
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Wiley KS, Fox MM, Gildner TE, Thayer ZM. A longitudinal study of how women's prenatal and postnatal concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic predicts their infants' social-emotional development. Child Dev 2023; 94:1356-1367. [PMID: 37068183 PMCID: PMC10524379 DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13934] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Infant social-emotional development may be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. This study investigated associations between maternal pre- and postnatal pandemic-related concerns and social-emotional developmental risk. Data, collected in 2020-2021, came from 220 mothers (87% white, 6% Hispanic, 1% Black, 3% Asian, 1% American Indian, Mage = 32.46 years), and infants (53.18% male, Mage = 12.98 months) in the United States. Maternal postnatal pandemic-related concerns were associated with total risk scores (B = 6.09, p-value <.001) and offspring risk of scoring positive for problems related to inflexibility (B = 4.07, p-value = .006). The total score association was moderated by self-reported social support. Infants may be detrimentally impacted by the pandemic via maternal pandemic-related concerns. Maternal social support may buffer infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyle S. Wiley
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los
Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Molly M. Fox
- Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los
Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences,
University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Theresa E. Gildner
- Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St.
Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Zaneta M. Thayer
- Department of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New
Hampshire, USA
- Ecology, Evolution, Environment & Society Program,
Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, USA
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13
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Cheng SL, Cheng S, Liu S, Li Y. What happened to parents' views of school success for autistic children during the COVID-19 pandemic? Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1211041. [PMID: 37692316 PMCID: PMC10492093 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1211041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The educational views of parents with autistic children directly impacts their children's academic success. However, little research has been done on how the COVID-19 pandemic impacted parents' academic and social views. Aim This study analyzes parents' views of school success for their autistic children in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and examines the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and parents' views of school success for autistic children in mainland China. Methods In this study, 713 parents of autistic children completed measures assessing their pandemic stress, parental involvement, and views of school success; linear regression and structural equation modeling were used to analyze the data. Results Parents' views of school success were influenced by factors such as parents' level of education, household income, parents' gender, and children's age. The effects of pandemic stress on views of school success for parents of autistic children are complex: physical and mental reaction has a negative direct effect on views of school success, a positive indirect effect mediated by parental involvement, and a net positive effect; risk perception and concern has a negative indirect effect; and both the direct and indirect effects of pragmatic hopefulness are positive. Education policymakers and practitioners need to seriously and carefully assess these results' implications for modern, inclusive education.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanyin Cheng
- School of Philosophy and Social Development, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
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14
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Nahum S, Kushnir T. The Relationship between Socio-Demographic Factors, Preventive Health Behaviors and Acceptance of COVID-19 Vaccine among Israeli Pregnant Women during the Coronavirus Pandemic. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6526. [PMID: 37569066 PMCID: PMC10418854 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20156526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The outbreak of the Coronavirus disease led the World Health Organization to publish recommendations regarding preventive health behaviors (PHB). Pregnant women are at a higher risk of severe COVID-19 infection and adherence to these recommendations is critical. There are little data regarding PHB among pregnant women. The current study aims to evaluate the contribution of socio-demographic factors and COVID-19 vaccinations in predicting PHB among pregnant women. METHOD 202 pregnant Israeli women (mean age = 30.8 years) participated in an online survey in 2021. RESULTS 88% of the women were vaccinated and few had been infected. Of the women, 75.2% reported wearing face masks in closed spaces, while 12.4% reported wearing masks outdoors; 63.9% of the women did not travel abroad for fear of infection by the virus and 51% avoided crowded events. A simultaneous regression analysis to predict PHB indicated that pregnancy week and Coronavirus vaccination significantly and positively predicted PHB, but religious status was a negative predictor. Age, number of children, and level of education were not associated with PHB. CONCLUSIONS These findings can be helpful as a preliminary evidence base for policy-making at present and for future epidemics regarding guidelines on PHB adjusted for pregnant women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shir Nahum
- Department of Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Talma Kushnir
- Department of Psychology, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
- Adelson School of Medicine, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel
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15
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Pearson J, Fréchette-Boilard G, Baudry C, Matte-Gagné C, Bernier A, Lemelin JP, Tarabulsy GM. Prenatal maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and birth outcomes: Is the newborn spared? Infant Behav Dev 2023; 72:101866. [PMID: 37506422 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has generated numerous stressors among the general population, but more specifically in pregnant women because of disruptions in prenatal care and delivery conditions. Studies suggest that prenatal maternal stress increased during the pandemic (Berthelot et al., 2020; Perzow et al., 2021; Tomfohr-Madsen et al., 2021). Considering what is known about the fetal programming potential of prenatal maternal stress, several researchers, early in the pandemic, raised concerns over the significant negative consequences that the pandemic context could have on birth outcomes. Studies comparing birth outcomes during versus before the pandemic suggest a marginal increase in birthweight and a significant decrease in preterm birth (Yang et al., 2022), but individual variations in prenatal maternal stress during the pandemic have received less attention. The objective of the present study is to examine the association between prenatal maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and birth outcomes. During pregnancy, 195 expecting mothers reported on their general and pandemic-related stress. When their child was 6 months old, mothers completed a questionnaire collecting information on birth outcomes (gestational age, birthweight, head circumference and Apgar scores). Hierarchical linear regressions show that none of the maternal prenatal stress variables significantly predicted variations in birth outcomes. Potential pandemic-related protective factors (e.g., changes in life and hygiene habits, rest imposed by lockdowns) and the need to offer support to pregnant women are discussed.
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16
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Preis H, Mahaffey B, Lobel M. Factors related to COVID-19 vaccination intention and uptake among childbearing women. Health Psychol 2023; 42:567-576. [PMID: 36074594 PMCID: PMC10819163 DOI: 10.1037/hea0001221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Pregnant women are a vulnerable population for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to their risk for severe symptoms and adverse perinatal outcomes. Our objective was to identify contributors to COVID-19 vaccine intention in pregnancy and subsequent uptake, informed by the Theory of Planned Behavior, the Health Belief Model, and paradigms implicating social determinants of health (SDoH). METHOD Total of 1,899 pregnant women across the United States completed questionnaires in December 2020 (T1) and April 2021 (T2). A structural equation model (SEM) was built from hypothesized contributors to vaccine intention (T1) and uptake (T2), including perceived threat of COVID-19, attitudes toward infection mitigation behaviors, and social determinants of health SDoH (i.e., socioeconomic status [SES], minoritized identity), controlling for maternal health, age, and county-level political orientation. RESULTS In the SEM, SDoH variables, perceived threat and behavioral attitudes predicted vaccine intention. SDoH were directly associated with vaccine uptake and indirectly associated via vaccine intention (SES direct effect b = .17, total effect b = .38; identifying as Black/African American direct effect b = -.05, total effect b = -.09) The SEM demonstrated good fit and explained 38% of the variance in vaccine intention and 26% in vaccine uptake. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women is influenced by SDoH and perceptual factors. Particular attention should focus on persons with lower SES and Black/African American women who reported lower vaccination intention and uptake. Potential routes to increase vaccination in perinatal populations include reducing accessibility barriers and providing information about vaccine safety and efficacy. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Heidi Preis
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
| | - Brittain Mahaffey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
| | - Marci Lobel
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University
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17
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Jeon S, Noh W. Psychosocial factors associated with health behaviors in pregnant women of advanced maternal age in Korea. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1179416. [PMID: 37397774 PMCID: PMC10310962 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1179416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives To determine the association between psychosocial factors and health-promoting and health-impairing behaviors in pregnant women of advanced maternal age (AMA) in Korea. Design A cross-sectional survey study. Setting Online survey. Samples A total of 217 pregnant women aged 35 and older agreed to participate in the study, with 207 participants completing the self-report questionnaires. Methods We collected self-reported data on demographic, obstetric, and psychosocial factors and prenatal health behaviors using standardized measures. We conducted a descriptive analysis of the collected data and a linear regression to identify significant associations with health-promoting and health-impairing behaviors. Results We found that maternal-fetal attachment (β = 0.43, p < 0.001) and "social atmosphere" of pregnancy stress (β = 0.13, p = 0.047) were positively associated with prenatal health-promoting behaviors. We found that artificial conception (β =-0.16, p = 0.011) was negatively associated with prenatal health-impairing behaviors and that multiparity (β = 0.23, p = 0.001) and "maternal role" of pregnancy stress (β = 0.27, p = 0.003) positively associated with prenatal health-impairing behaviors. Conclusion Health-impairing behaviors of pregnant AMA women need assessment and the importance of health-promoting behaviors for maternal and infant health need reinforcing. We recommend pregnancy stress assessments at prenatal checkups and stress relief interventions that consider cultural differences and contexts rather than standardized interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songi Jeon
- Department of Nursing, Catholic Kwandong University, Gangneung-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Wonjung Noh
- College of Nursing, Gachon University, Incheon, Republic of Korea
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18
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Ataman H, Tuncer M. The effect of COVID-19 fear on prenatal distress and childbirth preference in primipara. REVISTA DA ASSOCIACAO MEDICA BRASILEIRA (1992) 2023; 69:e20221302. [PMID: 37222319 DOI: 10.1590/1806-9282.20221302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of COVID-19 fear on prenatal distress and childbirth preference in primipara. METHODS This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 206 primipara women in Istanbul between June and December 2021. The data were collected with an information form, "The Fear of COVID-19 Scale" and "The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire." RESULTS The median of the Fear of COVID-19 Scale was 14.00 (7-31) and the median of the Prenatal Distress Questionnaire was 10.00 (0-21). A statistically significant positive and weak correlation was found between "The Fear of COVID-19 Scale" and "The Prenatal Distress Questionnaire" (r=0.21; p=0.00). Overall, 75.2% of pregnant women preferred normal (vaginal) delivery. There was no statistically significant relationship between "The Fear of COVID-19 Scale" and childbirth preference (p>0.05). CONCLUSION It was determined that fear of coronavirus increases prenatal distress. Women should be supported to cope with fear of COVID-19 and prenatal distress, both during the preconceptional and antenatal periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hacer Ataman
- İstanbul Medeniyet Üniversitesi, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing, Department of Nursing - Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Merve Tuncer
- İstanbul Üniversitesi, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Women Health and Diseases Nursing - İstanbul, Turkey
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19
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Mamuk R, Akbulut Ş, Erdoğan A. Evaluation of the association between fear of COVID-19 and pregnancy distress. Afr Health Sci 2023; 23:59-71. [PMID: 37545897 PMCID: PMC10398489 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v23i1.8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Mental health problems experienced during pregnancy negatively affect both maternal and fetal wellbeing. Objective This study aimed to investigate the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and pregnancy distress in healthy pregnant women living in Turkey. Methods A descriptive, relational/cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 363 pregnant women in person. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S), and the Tilburg Pregnancy Distress Scale (TPDS). Results The mean FCV-19S score was 19.03±5.65 and the mean TPDS score was 19.97±7.97. According to the TPDS cut-off score, 19.0% of the participants were at risk of pregnancy distress. There was a significant positive correlation between FCV-19S and TPDS scores (r = 0.263, p<0.05). According to the regression analysis, age (β= -0.217), years of education (β= -0.272), and number of births (β= 0.502) were associated with fear of COVID-19, and fear of COVID-19 was associated with TPDS scores (β= 0.369) (p<0.05). Conclusion The pregnant women in this study had moderate fear of COVID-19. Compared to the literature data, the prevalence of pregnancy distress was slightly higher than pre-COVID-19 reports but quite low compared to other studies conducted during the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rojjin Mamuk
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Eastern Mediterranean University. Famagusta, North Cyprus
| | - Şahide Akbulut
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Sciences, Batman University, Batman, Turkey
| | - Ayfer Erdoğan
- Nursing Department, Sabahattin Zaim University, Istanbul, Turkey
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20
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Van Laren A, Drießen M, Rasa S, Massar K, Ten Hoor GA. Nutritional changes during the COVID-19 pandemic: a rapid scoping review on the impact of psychological factors. Int J Food Sci Nutr 2023; 74:124-187. [PMID: 36823035 DOI: 10.1080/09637486.2023.2180613] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 and the resulting measures to curb the spread of the virus have significantly changed our lives, including our nutritional choices. In this rapid scoping review an overview is provided of what psychological factors may be associated with peoples' eating behaviour during COVID-19 restrictions. Relevant literature was identified using PubMed, PsycInfo, CINAHL and MEDLINE databases from 2019 onwards. For included studies, information on study characteristics, eating behaviours, and psychological factors were extracted. 118 articles were included, representing 30 countries. Findings indicated that most people consumed more and unhealthy food in times of COVID-19 restrictions, while some consumed less but often for the wrong reasons. Several psychological factors, related to (1) affective reactions, (2) anxiety, fear and worriers, (3) stress and (4) subjective and mental wellbeing were found to be associated with this increase in food consumption. These outcomes may help to be better inform future interventions, and with that, to be better prepared in case of future lockdown scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthea Van Laren
- Department Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Mona Drießen
- Department Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Sophia Rasa
- Department Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Karlijn Massar
- Department Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Gill A Ten Hoor
- Department Work and Social Psychology, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
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21
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Prenatal maternal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and infant regulatory capacity at 3 months: A longitudinal study. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:35-43. [PMID: 34210369 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579421000766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is a global traumatic experience for citizens, especially during sensitive time windows of heightened plasticity such as pregnancy and neonatal life. Pandemic-related stress experienced by mothers during pregnancy may act as an early risk factor for infants' regulatory capacity development by altering maternal psychosocial well-being (e.g., increased anxiety, reduced social support) and caregiving environment (e.g., greater parenting stress, impaired mother-infant bonding). The aim of the present longitudinal study was to assess the consequences of pandemic-related prenatal stress on infants' regulatory capacity. A sample of 163 mother-infant dyads was enrolled at eight maternity units in northern Italy. They provided complete data about prenatal stress, perceived social support, postnatal anxiety symptoms, parenting stress, mother-infant bonding, and infants' regulatory capacity at 3 months of age. Women who experienced emotional stress and received partial social support during pregnancy reported higher anxious symptoms. Moreover, maternal postnatal anxiety was indirectly linked to the infants' regulatory capacity at 3 months, mediated by parenting stress and mother-infant bonding. Dedicated preventive interventions should be delivered to mothers and should be focused on protecting the mother-infant dyad from the detrimental effects of pandemic-related stress during the COVID-19 healthcare emergency.
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22
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Delanerolle G, McCauley M, Hirsch M, Zeng Y, Cong X, Cavalini H, Sajid S, Shetty A, Rathod S, Shi JQ, Hapangama DK, Phiri P. The prevalence of mental ill-health in women during pregnancy and after childbirth during the Covid-19 pandemic: a systematic review and Meta-analysis. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth 2023; 23:76. [PMID: 36709255 PMCID: PMC9883834 DOI: 10.1186/s12884-022-05243-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This systematic review aims to explore the prevalence of the impact of the COVID-19, MERS, and SARS pandemics on the mental health of pregnant women. METHODS All COVID-19, SARS and MERS studies that evaluated the mental health of pregnant women with/without gynaecological conditions that were reported in English between December 2000 - July 2021 were included. The search criteria were developed based upon the research question using PubMed, Science Direct, Ovid PsycINFO and EMBASE databases. A wide search criterion was used to ensure the inclusion of all pregnant women with existing gynaecological conditions. The Newcastle-Ottawa-Scale was used to assess the risk of bias for all included studies. Random effects model with restricted maximum-likelihood estimation method was applied for the meta-analysis and I-square statistic was used to evaluate heterogeneity across studies. The pooled prevalence rates of symptoms of anxiety, depression, PTSD, stress, and sleep disorders with 95% confidence interval (CI) were computed. RESULTS This systematic review identified 217 studies which included 638,889 pregnant women or women who had just given birth. There were no studies reporting the mental health impact due to MERS and SARS. Results showed that women who were pregnant or had just given birth displayed various symptoms of poor mental health including those relating to depression (24.9%), anxiety (32.8%), stress (29.44%), Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) (27.93%), and sleep disorders (24.38%) during the COVID-19 pandemic. DISCUSSION It is important to note that studies included in this review used a range of outcome measures which does not allow for direct comparisons between findings. Most studies reported self-reported measure of symptoms without clinical diagnoses so conclusions can be made for symptom prevalence rather than of mental illness. The importance of managing mental health during pregnancy and after-delivery improves the quality of life and wellbeing of mothers hence developing an evidence-based approached as part of pandemic preparedness would improve mental health during challenging times. OTHER The work presented in this manuscript was not funded by any specific grants. A study protocol was developed and published in PROSPERO (CRD42021235356) to explore several key objectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gayathri Delanerolle
- Nuffield Department of Primary Health Care Sciences, Uuniversity of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Innovation Department, Clinical Trials Facility, Tom Rudd Unit Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3JB, UK
| | - Mary McCauley
- Liverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK
| | - Martin Hirsch
- University College London, London, UK
- Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK
| | - Yutian Zeng
- Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Xu Cong
- Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
| | - Heitor Cavalini
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Innovation Department, Clinical Trials Facility, Tom Rudd Unit Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3JB, UK
| | - Sana Sajid
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Innovation Department, Clinical Trials Facility, Tom Rudd Unit Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3JB, UK
| | - Ashish Shetty
- University College London, London, UK
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Shanaya Rathod
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Innovation Department, Clinical Trials Facility, Tom Rudd Unit Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3JB, UK
| | - Jian Qing Shi
- Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- National Center for Applied Mathematics, Shenzhen, China
| | | | - Peter Phiri
- Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, Research and Innovation Department, Clinical Trials Facility, Tom Rudd Unit Moorgreen Hospital, Botley Road, West End, Southampton, SO30 3JB, UK.
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK.
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23
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Kołomańska-Bogucka D, Pławiak N, Mazur-Bialy AI. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Level of Physical Activity, Emotional State, and Health Habits of Women in Late Pregnancy and Early Puerperium. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:1852. [PMID: 36767219 PMCID: PMC9915059 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20031852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
UNLABELLED The aim of the study was to determine the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the level of physical activity in the last trimester, the risk of developing postnatal depression, and general health habits in late pregnancy and the early postpartum period. METHODS The study population was women 1-8 days postpartum. Participants were divided into three groups depending on when they were recruited: (1) prepandemic (Ppan: n = 252, December 2019-March 2020), (2) COVID1 group (Cov1: n = 262, May 2020-September 2020), and (3) COVID2 group (Cov2: n = 226, June 2021-September 2021). The Ppan group included women from before the pandemic. The Cov1 group included patients after some restrictions were lifted. The Cov2 group included women after vaccinations became available. Research tools included a demographical questionnaire (age, education, childbirth details), the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Health Behavior Inventory (IZZ). RESULTS Regression analysis showed that regardless of other variables, women who gave birth during the pandemic spent less energy on total physical activity compared to the prepandemic group (Cov1: β = -18.930, 95%CI: -36.499 to -1.361; Cov2: β = -26.527, 95%CI: -44.322 to -8.733). We also found that as the risk of depression increased, engagement in general health habits decreased during the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS The Covid-19 pandemic decreased the level of some subdomains of physical activity in pregnant women, with a general negative correlation between emotional state and healthy habits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Kołomańska-Bogucka
- Department of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Science, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
| | - Natalia Pławiak
- University Hospital in Krakow, Jakubowskiego 2, 30-688 Krakow, Poland
| | - Agnieszka I. Mazur-Bialy
- Department of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Science, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland
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Can Universal Cash Transfer Save Newborns' Birth Weight During the Pandemic? POPULATION RESEARCH AND POLICY REVIEW 2023; 42:4. [PMID: 36742060 PMCID: PMC9884071 DOI: 10.1007/s11113-023-09759-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Birth weight is a key human biological characteristic as a measure of prenatal development and a variable related to later quality of life. Studies have firmly established that a stressful situation in utero adversely affects newborns' birth weight. Using birth statistics provided by Statistics Korea, this study examined how universal cash transfer during the COVID-19 crisis affected newborns' birth weight in South Korea. Given that the normal gestation period is nearly 10 months, we chose newborns without a self-selection issue by utilizing information on birthdate and total pregnancy period from the dataset, subsequently applying difference-in-differences estimation. Results showed that universal cash transfer offset newborns' weight loss amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects differed according to households' sociodemographic characteristics, with effects being more pronounced for girls; more pronounced for households with more than two children; more pronounced in local districts severely affected during the initial stage of the pandemic, but less significant in metropolitan regions; and more among middle-class families. This study presents evidence that governmental cash transfer during the pandemic has improved newborns' health and that continuing such a policy would positively impact future generations from a health perspective.
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Cheng S, Cheng S, Liu S, Li Y. Parents' pandemic stress, parental involvement, and family quality of life for children with autism. Front Public Health 2022; 10:1061796. [PMID: 36530705 PMCID: PMC9751346 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.1061796] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Research has shown that parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) suffered high levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic and faced poor family quality of life (FQOL). However, little is known about the inherent dynamic interaction between pandemic stress and FQOL, especially in the Chinese cultural context. Aims This study provides preliminary evidence by examining the relationships among pandemic stress, parental involvement, and FQOL for children with autism in mainland China. Method A total of 709 parents of children with autism completed measures of FQOL, parental involvement, and pandemic stress. Structural equation modeling was employed to examine the interrelations among these variables. Results Pandemic stress has direct effect and indirect effect mediated by parental involvement on FQOL. Two dimensions of pandemic stress had a direct effect on FQOL (β1 = 0.11; β2 = -0.55) and three dimensions had an indirect effect on FQOL through parental involvement (β1 = -0.097; β2 = 0.257; β3 = 0.114). Conclusion Stress related to the COVID-19 pandemic affects family quality of life for children with autism in complex ways. Policies may be developed to enhance parental pragmatic hopefulness in the anti-epidemic victory and alleviate negative physical and mental reactions caused by the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Sanyin Cheng
- School of Philosophy and Social Development, Shandong University, Jinan, China
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26
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Lobel M, Preis H, Mahaffey B, Schaal NK, Yirmiya K, Atzil S, Reuveni I, Balestrieri M, Penengo C, Colli C, Garzitto M, Driul L, Ilska M, Brandt-Salmeri A, Kołodziej-Zaleska A, Caparros-Gonzalez RA, Castro RA, La Marca-Ghaemmaghami P, Meyerhoff H. Common model of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms in pregnant women from seven high-income Western countries at the COVID-19 pandemic onset. Soc Sci Med 2022; 315:115499. [PMID: 36399984 PMCID: PMC9622432 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2022.115499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Increases in stress, anxiety, and depression among women pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic have been reported internationally. Yet rigorous comparison of the prevalence of maternal mental health problems across countries is lacking. Moreover, whether stress is a common predictor of maternal mental health during the pandemic across countries is unknown. METHODS 8148 pregnant women from Germany, Israel, Italy, Poland, Spain, Switzerland, and the United States were enrolled in the International COVID-19 Pregnancy Experiences (I-COPE) Study between April 17 and May 31, 2020. Sociodemographic characteristics, pandemic-related stress, pregnancy-specific stress, anxiety, and depression were assessed with well-validated instruments. The magnitude of stress and mood disturbances was compared across countries. A path model predicting clinically significant levels of anxiety and depression from maternal characteristics and stress was tested for all study participants and then examined separately in each country with >200 participants. RESULTS Countries differed significantly in magnitude of pandemic-related pregnancy stress and pandemic-unrelated pregnancy-specific stress, and in prevalence of clinically significant anxiety and depression levels. A well-fitting common path model for the entire sample indicated that mood and anxiety disturbances were strongly predicted by pandemic-related and pregnancy-specific stress after accounting for maternal characteristics. The model was replicated in individual countries. CONCLUSIONS Although pregnant women in high-income Western countries experienced different levels of stress resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, stress is a strong, common predictor of anxiety and depressive symptoms in these individuals. The common model can be used to inform research and clinical interventions to protect against adverse consequences of prenatal maternal stress, anxiety, and depression for mothers and infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marci Lobel
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States.
| | - Heidi Preis
- Department of Psychology, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States; Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Medicine, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Brittain Mahaffey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Renaissance School of Medicine, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, United States
| | - Nora K Schaal
- Institute of Experimental Psychology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Duesseldorf, Germany
| | - Karen Yirmiya
- Baruch Ivcher School of Psychology, Interdisciplinary Center, Herzlia, Israel
| | - Shir Atzil
- Department of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Inbal Reuveni
- Department of Psychiatry, Hadassah Medical Center, Affiliated with the Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Matteo Balestrieri
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Chiara Penengo
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Chiara Colli
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Marco Garzitto
- Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Lorenza Driul
- Obstetric-Gynecologic Clinic, Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Michalina Ilska
- Institute of Psychology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | - Anna Brandt-Salmeri
- Institute of Psychology, University of Silesia in Katowice, Katowice, Poland
| | | | - Rafael A Caparros-Gonzalez
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Granada, Spain; Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria Ibs.GRANADA, Granada, Spain
| | - Rita Amiel Castro
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pearl La Marca-Ghaemmaghami
- Psychology Research and Counselling Institute for Sexuality, Marriage, and Family, International Academy for Human Sciences and Culture, Walenstadt, Switzerland
| | - Hannah Meyerhoff
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Miller N, Conway R, Pini S, Buck C, Gil N, Lally P, Beeken RJ, Fisher A. Exploring the perceived impact of social support on the health behaviours of people living with and beyond cancer during the COVID-19 pandemic: a qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 2022; 30:8357-8366. [PMID: 35879472 PMCID: PMC9311339 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-022-07291-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Social support facilitated healthy behaviours in people living with and beyond cancer (LWBC) before the COVID-19 pandemic. Little is known about how social support impacted their health behaviours during the pandemic when social restrictions were imposed. The aim of this study was to qualitatively explore how social support was perceived to impact the health behaviours of people LWBC during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS Semi-structured interviews were conducted via telephone with 24 adults living with and beyond breast, prostate and colorectal cancer. Inductive and deductive framework analysis was used to analyse the data. RESULTS Five themes developed. These were (1) Companionship and accountability as motivators for physical activity, (2) Social influences on alcohol consumption, (3) Instrumental support in food practices, (4) Informational support as important for behaviour change and (5) Validation of health behaviours from immediate social networks. CONCLUSION This study described how companionship, social influence, instrumental support, informational support and validation were perceived to impact the health behaviours of people LWBC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Interventions for people LWBC could recommend co-participation in exercise with friends and family; promote the formation of collaborative implementation intentions with family to reduce alcohol consumption; and encourage supportive communication between partners about health behaviours. These interventions would be useful during pandemics and at other times. Government policies to help support clinically extremely vulnerable groups of people LWBC during pandemics should focus on providing access to healthier foods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Miller
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, Gower Street, London, UK.
| | - Rana Conway
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, Gower Street, London, UK
| | - Simon Pini
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Caroline Buck
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, Gower Street, London, UK
| | - Natalie Gil
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, Gower Street, London, UK
| | - Phillippa Lally
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, Gower Street, London, UK
| | - Rebecca J Beeken
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, Gower Street, London, UK
- Leeds Institute of Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT, UK
| | - Abigail Fisher
- Department of Behavioural Science and Health, Institute of Epidemiology and Health Care, University College London, 1-19 Torrington Place, Gower Street, London, UK
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MacNeill LA, Krogh‐Jespersen S, Zhang Y, Giase G, Edwards R, Petitclerc A, Mithal LB, Mestan K, Grobman WA, Norton ES, Alshurafa N, Moskowitz JT, Tandon SD, Wakschlag LS. Lability of prenatal stress during the COVID-19 pandemic links to negative affect in infancy. INFANCY 2022; 28:136-157. [PMID: 36070207 PMCID: PMC9538880 DOI: 10.1111/infa.12499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
The association between prenatal stress and children's socioemotional development is well established. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a particularly stressful period, which may impact the gestational environment. However, most studies to-date have examined prenatal stress at a single time point, potentially masking the natural variation in stress that occurs over time, especially during a time as uncertain as the pandemic. This study leveraged dense ecological momentary assessments from a prenatal randomized control trial to examine patterns of prenatal stress over a 14-week period (up to four assessments/day) in a U.S. sample of 72 mothers and infants. We first examined whether varied features of stress exposure (lability, mean, and baseline stress) differed depending on whether mothers reported on their stress before or during the pandemic. We next examined which features of stress were associated with 3-month-old infants' negative affect. We did not find differences in stress patterns before and during the pandemic. However, greater stress lability, accounting for baseline and mean stress, was associated with higher infant negative affect. These findings suggest that pathways from prenatal stress exposure to infant socioemotional development are complex, and close attention to stress patterns over time will be important for explicating these pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leigha A. MacNeill
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Sheila Krogh‐Jespersen
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Yudong Zhang
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Gina Giase
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Renee Edwards
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | | | - Leena B. Mithal
- Department of PediatricsNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Karen Mestan
- Department of PediatricsNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of ChicagoChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - William A. Grobman
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyThe Ohio State UniversityColumbusOhioUSA
| | - Elizabeth S. Norton
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA,Department of Communication Sciences and DisordersNorthwestern UniversityEvanstonIllinoisUSA
| | - Nabil Alshurafa
- Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA,Department of Preventive MedicineNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Judith T. Moskowitz
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - S. Darius Tandon
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
| | - Lauren S. Wakschlag
- Department of Medical Social SciencesNorthwestern University Feinberg School of MedicineChicagoIllinoisUSA,Institute for Innovations in Developmental SciencesNorthwestern UniversityChicagoIllinoisUSA
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Küçükkaya B, Kahyaoğlu Süt H. The relationship between Turkish women’s self-efficacy for managing work-family conflict and depression, anxiety and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web-based cross-sectional study. Work 2022; 73:1117-1124. [DOI: 10.3233/wor-220190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has changed working women’s workplace and family workload. The changing workplace-family workload may cause a decrease in work-family conflict management self-efficacy. The decrease in work-family conflict management self-efficacy in women may increase their depression, anxiety, and stress levels. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the relationship between Turkish women’s self-efficacy for managing work-family conflict and their depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 244 Turkish women via social media (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp). The data were collected online through a Questionnaire, the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21), and sub-scales of the Self-Efficacy for Managing Work-Family Conflict Scale (SE-WFC): Work-to-Family Conflict (WFC) and Family-to-Work Conflict (FWC). RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, 87.3% of working women experienced an increase in their family workload (100% increase in cooking and cleaning jobs). On the other hand, workplace workload of 83% of women increased. According to DASS-21, women experienced depression (55.7% ), anxiety (49.6% ) and stress (63.1% ). A negative correlation was found between the mean scores of WFC/FWC and the mean scores of depression, anxiety, and stress. (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Turkish women’s self-efficacy for managing work-family and family-work conflict decreased, and their depression, anxiety, and stress levels increased.
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Affiliation(s)
- Burcu Küçükkaya
- Department of Women Health and Diseases Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
| | - Hatice Kahyaoğlu Süt
- Department of Women Health and Diseases Nursing, Faculty of Health Science, Trakya University, Edirne, Turkey
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Sweet L. COVID-19 Special Issue - The Impact of COVID-19 on women, babies, midwives, and midwifery care. Women Birth 2022; 35:211-212. [PMID: 35304067 PMCID: PMC8901380 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2022.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Linda Sweet
- School of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Victoria, Australia,Centre for Quality and Patient Safety Research, Western Health Partnership, Victoria, Australia
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31
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Kołomańska-Bogucka D, Micek A, Mazur-Bialy AI. The COVID-19 Pandemic and Levels of Physical Activity in the Last Trimester, Life Satisfaction and Perceived Stress in Late Pregnancy and in the Early Puerperium. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19053066. [PMID: 35270759 PMCID: PMC8910231 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19053066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the levels of physical activity during the third trimester of pregnancy, life satisfaction and stress in women in late pregnancy and early postpartum. Methods: The study was conducted among 740 patients of maternity wards in Cracow hospitals on days 1−8 postpartum. Patients who were surveyed before the pandemic (December 2019−March 2020) were included in the prepandemic group (PPan: n = 252). The second group of women (COVID 1 group, Cov1: n = 262) was examined in the early stages of the pandemic (May−September 2020). In turn, participants who were surveyed during the population vaccination campaign (June−September 2021) were qualified to the COVID 2 group (Cov2: n = 226). The research tools used were the original questionnaire in addition to standardized questionnaires assessing physical activity in the last trimester of pregnancy (the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire); previous life satisfaction (the Satisfaction with Life Scale); and stress levels during the last month (the Perceived Stress Scale). Results: During the pandemic, women reduced the level of energy spent on total physical activity; nevertheless, statistically significant differences were found only between the PPan and Cov2 groups (p = 0.001). At the early stages of the pandemic, patients significantly reduced mobility activities (Cov1 vs. PPan: p < 0.001; Cov1 vs. Cov2: p = 0.007), while late in the pandemic they spent less energy on household activities (Cov2 vs. PPan: p = 0.002, Cov2 vs. Cov1: p = 0.002). There were no differences in the levels of stress and life satisfaction. Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the level of physical activity; however, it did not change levels of perceived stress and life satisfaction in women in late-stage pregnancy and in the early puerperium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Kołomańska-Bogucka
- Department of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Science, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Micek
- Faculty of Health Science, Institute of Nursing and Midwifery, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kopernika 25, 31-501 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka I. Mazur-Bialy
- Department of Biomechanics and Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Science, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Skawińska 8, 31-066 Krakow, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-012-421-9351
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32
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Pourfarzi F, Rahim Pouran S, Dargahi A, Karami C, Fouladi N, Zandian H, Zahirian Moghadam T. The healthy behaviours and COVID-19 mortality among Iranian women: a case-control study. BMC Womens Health 2021; 21:366. [PMID: 34657621 PMCID: PMC8520685 DOI: 10.1186/s12905-021-01512-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2020] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Women are among the susceptible groups to Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) in Ardabil, north-west of Iran, despite the current global status. The underlying causes of high incidence and fatality rate of women in Ardabil are not fully understood. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the healthy behaviours in women of Ardabil and its relationship with COVID-19 mortality. METHODS We conducted a case-control study to compare the adherence to health protocols and behaviours with respect to COVID-19 between the infected (261 patients) and healthy (515 persons) women. Health protocols and behaviours such as using mask, gloves, disinfectants, history of travelling and contacting, and attending various gatherings and places during the COVID-19 pandemic along with demographic variables were defined as independent variables, and COVID-19 death rate was defined as the dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression methods were used to explore the risk factors associated with COVID-19 mortality. RESULTS Chi-square and Fisher tests showed significant differences between infected and healthy women in terms of history of contact and traveling (p < 0.05), wearing mask (p < 0.001), going to work place (p < 0.001), and attend public gatherings (p = 0.038). Multivariable logistic regression disclosed that the age group over 80 years: 8.97 times (95% CI 2.27-29.85), women with underlying chronic diseases: 4.14 times (95% CI 1.61-10.64), and obese women: 3.01 times (95% CI 1.04-6.03) were more likely to die from COVID-19 than other women. CONCLUSION Considering the high incidence and mortality rate in Ardabil women due to COVID-19 and the corresponding health behavioural factors, special emphasis should be given to the increase of women awareness on the importance of healthy behaviours, diet, and life-style.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farhad Pourfarzi
- Digestive Disease Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Shima Rahim Pouran
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Abdollah Dargahi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Chiman Karami
- School of Medicine and Allied Medical Sciences, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Nasrin Fouladi
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
- Department of Community Medicine and Family, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
| | - Hamed Zandian
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
| | - Telma Zahirian Moghadam
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran.
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Linden K, Domgren N, Zaigham M, Sengpiel V, Andersson ME, Wessberg A. Being in the shadow of the unknown - Swedish women's lived experiences of pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic, a phenomenological study. Women Birth 2021; 35:440-446. [PMID: 34602340 PMCID: PMC9364685 DOI: 10.1016/j.wombi.2021.09.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on the emotional well-being of expecting mothers. Sweden’s unique strategy for managing COVID-19 involved no national lockdown. Emphasis was instead placed on limiting crowding and asking citizens to practice social distancing measures. Aim To gain a deeper understanding of how women not infected by SARS-CoV-2 experienced pregnancy during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden. Methods This was a qualitative study with a reflective lifeworld approach. Fourteen women that had not contracted COVID-19 and who were pregnant during the first and second wave of the pandemic were interviewed. Data were analysed with a phenomenological reflective lifeworld approach. Findings The essence of the women’s experiences of being pregnant during the COVID-19 pandemic was best described as being in the shadow of the unknown, where the COVID-19 pandemic could at times totally overshadow the experience of being pregnant, while at other times, rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds. The experience was characterised by having to deal with the uncertainties caused by the pandemic and feelings of being in an information echo. Women felt socially isolated and had to face maternal check-ups without the support of their partners. There was, however, a strong trust in maternal health-care services despite the lack of information available. Conclusion Being in the shadow of the unknown represents the uncertainties posed by the COVID-19 pandemic on the experience of pregnancy. Sufficient information, a companion of choice and screening for emotional well-being are important factors in maternity care during pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Linden
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Nimmi Domgren
- Institute of Health and Care Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Mehreen Zaigham
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institution of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Sweden; Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Verena Sengpiel
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden; Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria E Andersson
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Institution of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Sweden; Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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