Monteiro F, Fernandes DV, Pires R, Moreira H, Melo C, Araújo-Pedrosa A. Exploring factors associated with complete mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Midwifery 2023;
116:103521. [PMID:
36288676 PMCID:
PMC9578971 DOI:
10.1016/j.midw.2022.103521]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To explore a wide range of factors associated with complete mental health (i.e., positive mental health - the presence of flourishing, and the absence of mental illness - depressive and anxious symptoms) among Portuguese pregnant women, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
DESIGN
Quantitative cross-sectional study.
SETTING
Data were collected through an online survey placed on social media websites targeting pregnant Portuguese adult women between October 2020 and April 2021.
PARTICIPANTS
The sample comprised 207 pregnant women.
RESULTS
A multivariate logistic regression model showed that higher levels of self-compassion and higher engagement in mindful self-care practices increased the likelihood of reporting complete mental health during pregnancy.
CONCLUSIONS
Promoting self-compassion and mindful self-care may be particularly important in pregnant women, as these psychological factors appear to contribute to complete mental health during COVID-19 pandemic.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE
The COVID-19 pandemic represented a demanding period for pregnant women. Our findings highlight that targeting the promotion of self-compassion and mindful self-care practices during stressful periods could significantly contribute to their overall mental health.
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