A Correlational Study Of Midwives' Self-Compassion, Psychosocial Health, and Well-Being During the First Wave of COVID-19. What Have We Learned?

Abstract

During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, midwives worked in a threatening environment and worried about themselves and their families becoming infected. Self-compassion is defined as an attitude of self-kindness that is supported by a balanced attitude toward negative thoughts or feelings and may contribute to the psychosocial health and well-being. The purpose of this study was to describe midwives' self-compassion, psychosocial health, and well-being and the correlation between them. This was a descriptive correlational study using a survey administered online during May, 2020. Participants included midwives who worked in labor and delivery units across Israel during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Measures included a demographic questionnaire; the Self-Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS-SF), which has 12 items in 6 subscales; and the psychosocial health and well-being questionnaire, a short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, which has 24 items in 6 subscales. Participants (N = 144) reported a moderate-high level of self-compassion with a mean (SD) SCS-SF score of 3.57 (0.69). The mean (SD) psychosocial well-being score was 30.72 (13.57). The burnout subscale score had the highest mean (46.27), representing a high level of burnout. A minority (11.3%) of midwives considered resigning their midwifery positions. A higher level of self-compassion correlated with better psychosocial well-being (r = -0.466; P < .001). The highest correlation was found between the SCS-SF and the psychosocial health and well-being subscale for depressive symptoms (r = -0.574; P < .001). During the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, midwives had a moderate-high grade of self-compassion and good psychosocial well-being. Midwives with higher self-compassion had better psychosocial well-being. The findings could inform the development of programs to increase midwives' self-compassion, and psychosocial well-being and the quality of midwifery care, in times of stability and during future pandemics or disasters.