1
|
Batz F, Lermer E, Lech S, O’Malley G, Zati zehni A, Zenz-Spitzweg D, Mahner S, Behr J, Thaler CJ, Buspavanich P. The psychological burden of COVID-19 on the desire for parenthood in minoritized sexual identities: a study on depressive symptoms and family planning in Germany. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:232. [PMID: 36732703 PMCID: PMC9894671 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15127-7] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 01/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread across the globe and is associated with significant clinical and humanitarian burden. The desire for parenthood has been described to be positively correlated with psychological well-being: An unfulfilled wish for parenthood is associated with impaired mental health, and the wish for parenthood is a predictor for the development of depressive symptoms. While higher rates of anxiety and depression have been reported in individuals with minoritized sexual identities (compared to heterosexual individuals) during the COVID-19 pandemic, the specific impact of the pandemic and its social restriction measures on this population is poorly understood. METHODS From April to July 2020, we conducted an anonymous cross-sectional survey online among N = 2463 adults living in Germany. We screened for depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-4; PHQ-4) and assessed individuals' desire for parenthood during the pandemic, and motives for or against the desire for parenthood (Leipzig questionnaire on motives for having a child, Version 20; LKM-20), with the aim of identifying differences between individuals with minoritized sexual identities and heterosexual individuals. RESULTS Compared to heterosexual individuals (n = 1304), individuals with minoritized sexual identities (n = 831) indicated higher levels of depressive symptoms. In our study sample the majority of all participants (81.9%) reported no change in the desire for parenthood since the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSION The findings underline the unmet need for social, psychological and medical support in regard to family-planning and the desire for parenthood during a pandemic. Furthermore, future research should explore COVID-19-related psychological consequences on individuals' desire for parenthood and building a family.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Falk Batz
- grid.411095.80000 0004 0477 2585Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Eva Lermer
- grid.5252.00000 0004 1936 973XCenter for Leadership and People Management, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany ,grid.440970.e0000 0000 9922 6093Department of Business Psychology, Augsburg University of Applied Sciences, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Sonia Lech
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Institute of Medical Sociology and Rehabilitation Science, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt- Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany ,grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Grace O’Malley
- grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Department of Paediatric Oncology/Haematology, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alaleh Zati zehni
- grid.411095.80000 0004 0477 2585Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Davina Zenz-Spitzweg
- grid.448997.f0000 0000 8984 4939 Applied Business and Media Psychology, Ansbach University of Applied Sciences, Ansbach, Germany
| | - Sven Mahner
- grid.411095.80000 0004 0477 2585Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Joachim Behr
- grid.473452.3Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816 Neuruppin, Germany ,Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Joint Faculty of the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Brandenburg Medical School, Potsdam, Germany ,grid.6363.00000 0001 2218 4662Research Unit Gender in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian J. Thaler
- grid.411095.80000 0004 0477 2585Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Center for Gynecological Endocrinology and Reproductive Medicine, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Pichit Buspavanich
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane, Fehrbelliner Str. 38, 16816, Neuruppin, Germany. .,Faculty of Health Sciences Brandenburg, Joint Faculty of the University of Potsdam, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg and Brandenburg Medical School, Potsdam, Germany. .,Research Unit Gender in Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Institute of Sexology and Sexual Medicine, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Micelli E, Cito G, Cocci A, Polloni G, Russo GI, Minervini A, Carini M, Natali A, Coccia ME. Desire for parenthood at the time of COVID-19 pandemic: an insight into the Italian situation. J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol 2020; 41:183-190. [PMID: 32379999 DOI: 10.1080/0167482x.2020.1759545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 65] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic lifestyle change on couples of reproductive age and on their desire for parenthood.Materials and methods: A quantitative correlational research study, based on a web survey, was conducted among Italian men and women in heterosexual stable relationships, aged between 18 and 46 years. The self-administered Italian version questionnaire was created using Google Forms and posted on chats and social networks.The mood of participants before and during the quarantine was assessed using a scale from 1 to 10 (1 = no wellbeing; 10 = total wellbeing). Couples' quality of life and their reproductive desire were evaluated.Results: 1482 respondents were included: 944 women (63.7%) and 538 men (36.3%). A significant trend toward reduced mean wellbeing scores during the quarantine, compared to before, was found (p < .01). From 18.1% participants who were planning to have a child before the pandemic, 37.3% abandoned the intention, related to worries of future economic difficulties (58%) and consequences on pregnancy (58%). Of 81.9% who did not intend to conceive, 11.5% revealed a desire for parenthood during quarantine than before (p < .01), related to will for change (50%) and need for positivity (40%). 4.3% of these actually tried to get pregnant. Stratifying by age, a trend toward older ages was found in the desire for parenthood before and during the COVID-19 pandemic (p < .05).Conclusions: COVID-19 pandemic is impacting on the desire for parenthood. It is unknown whether these findings will result in a substantial modification of birth rate in the near future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabetta Micelli
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gianmartin Cito
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Cocci
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Gaia Polloni
- Clinical Psychology and Clinical Sexology, Cognitive Therapy Centre, Como, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Minervini
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Marco Carini
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandro Natali
- Department of Urology, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| | - Maria Elisabetta Coccia
- Assisted Reproductive Technology Centre, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Guzzo KB, Hayford SR. Pathways to Parenthood in Social and Family Context: Decade in Review, 2020. JOURNAL OF MARRIAGE AND THE FAMILY 2020; 82:117-144. [PMID: 34012172 PMCID: PMC8130890 DOI: 10.1111/jomf.12618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2019] [Accepted: 07/29/2019] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This article reviews research from the past decade on patterns, trends, and differentials in the pathway to parenthood. BACKGROUND Whether, and under what circumstances, people become parents has implications for individual identity, family relationships, the well-being of adults and children, and population growth and age structure. Understanding the factors that influence pathways to parenthood is central to the study of families and can inform policies aimed at changing childbearing behaviors. METHOD This review summarizes recent trends in fertility as well as research on the predictors and correlates of childbearing, with a focus on the United States and on research most relevant to family scholars. We document fertility differentials and prevailing explanations for variation across sub-groups and discuss alternative pathways to parenthood, such as adoption. The article suggests avenues for future research, outlines emerging theoretical developments, and concludes with a discussion of fertility policy. RESULTS U.S. fertility has declined in recent years; whether fertility rates will increase is unclear. Elements of the broader social context such as the Great Recession and increasing economic inequality have impacted pathways to parenthood, and there is growing divergence in behaviors across social class. Scholars of childbearing have developed theories to better understand how childbearing is shaped by life course processes and social context. CONCLUSION Future research on the pathways to parenthood should continue to study group differentials, refine measurement and theories, and better integrate men and couples. Childbearing research is relevant for social policy, but ideological factors impact the application of research to policy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karen Benjamin Guzzo
- Department of Sociology, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH 43403-0222
| | - Sarah R Hayford
- Department of Sociology, The Ohio State University 1885 Neil Avenue Mall Columbus, OH, 43210
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Scholars have suggested that low-income parents avoid marriage because they have not met the so-called economic bar to marriage. The economic bar is multidimensional, referring to a bundle of financial achievements that determine whether couples feel ready to wed. Using the Building Strong Families data set of low-income parents (n = 4,444), we operationalized this qualitative concept into a seven-item index and examined whether couples who met the economic bar by achieving the majority of the items were more likely to marry than couples who did not. Meeting the bar was associated with a two-thirds increase in marriage likelihood. The bar was not positively associated with cohabitation, suggesting that it applies specifically to marriage. When we examined different definitions of the bar based on whether the mother, father, or both parents contributed items, all variants were associated with marriage, even if the bar was based on the mother's economic accomplishments alone. When mothers contributed to the economic bar, they reported significantly higher relationship quality. Our results reinforce the importance of the multidimensional economic bar for marriage entry, highlighting the role of maternal economic contributions in low-income relationships.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Anna Gassman-Pines
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, PO Box 90312, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| | - Rebecca Lehrman
- Sanford School of Public Policy, Duke University, PO Box 90312, Durham, NC, 27708, USA
| |
Collapse
|