Depressive Symptoms In Pregnant Women Research Articles

Perceived stress and prenatal depression symptoms among couples with gestational diabetes mellitus: The mediating role of dyadic coping

ProblemNo studies have been conducted to examine the relationships between perceived stress, positive/negative dyadic coping, and prenatal depression symptoms in Chinese couples with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). BackgroundGDM is a stressful event for pregnant women and their partners, which may result in clinically significant prenatal depression symptoms in couples. AimThis study aims to examine the relationships and differences in perceived stress, positive/negative dyadic coping, and prenatal depression symptoms between Chinese pregnant women with GDM and their partners and to explore the mediating role of positive/negative dyadic coping. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in Guangzhou, China, from January to October 2021. 402 pairs of GDM couples completed the questionnaires, including the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Chinese version of the Dyadic Coping Inventory, and the Perceived Stress Scale. Dyadic data was analyzed using the actor-partner interdependence mediation model. Findings37.6 % of pregnant women with GDM and 24.6 % of their partners experienced clinically significant prenatal depression symptoms. Depression symptoms in couples mutually influence each other. Perceived stress was directly or indirectly related to their and partners’ prenatal depression symptoms in GDM couples, with negative dyadic coping acting as a mediator. Maternal negative dyadic coping was also a partner-mediator. DiscussionThe findings of the present study may provide healthcare professionals with a better understanding of the effect of the interpersonal interaction between the couples as a dyad on prenatal depression symptoms in Chinese context. ConclusionThere were intrapersonal and interpersonal associations among perceived stress, negative dyadic coping, and prenatal depression symptoms in pregnant women with GDM and their partners. It suggests a need for screening clinically significant prenatal depression symptoms and decreasing perceived stress and negative dyadic coping among couples with GDM with a focus on pregnant women with GDM.

The effects of exercise on antenatal depression: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic evaluation of exercise interventions' effectiveness on antenatal depressive symptoms in pregnant women and to investigate the impact of different intervention factors on the relationship between exercise and antenatal depressive symptoms. We conducted comprehensive searches in several databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and others. The search period covered from database inception to May 2023. After thorough screening, a total of 7 papers with 524 subjects were included in the analysis. The meta-analysis revealed that the overall effect size of exercise intervention on antenatal depressive symptoms in pregnant women was SMD = -0.41, with a 95% confidence interval of [-0.78, -0.05], and P = 0.03, indicating a significant improvement in depressive symptoms due to exercise intervention during the antenatal period. However, some degree of heterogeneity was observed among the studies, with I² = 74%, P = 0.0007. The results indicate that exercise interventions significantly contribute to the improvement of antenatal depressive symptoms in pregnant women, as inferred from the combined findings of the studies. Notably, static exercise intervention showed better results than dynamic exercise intervention. Moreover, interventions conducted before 20 weeks' gestation had superior outcomes compared to those conducted after 20 weeks' gestation, and interventions lasting longer than the trimester duration exhibited more favorable effects than shorter interventions. However, to validate these findings and optimise exercise intervention protocols for better antenatal maternal depressive symptom management, larger sample sizes and more comprehensive studies are required, given the observed heterogeneity and potential limitations in the present study. https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/ PROSPERO, identifier (CRD42023422315).

Household food insecurity and symptoms of anxiety and depression during pregnancy: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Household food insecurity (HFI) has been related to adverse maternal-child health outcomes and mental health worsening during pregnancy. Few studies evaluated the temporal association between HFI and anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women, and this association remains not completely understood. This study aimed to systematically review the association between HFI and symptoms of depression and anxiety in pregnant individuals. The systematic review protocol was registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (CRD42022373615). Systematic searches were conducted on 10 electronic databases and grey literature. Two researchers independently conducted the study selection, data extraction process, and the risk of bias assessment. Random-effects meta-analysis models were used, and I2 > 40% indicated high heterogeneity across studies. Eighteen articles were included for the systematic review, comprising n = 27,882, and a total of 18,987 pregnant individuals aged between 14 and 45 years were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of HFI reported in studies ranged from 12.6% to 62.1% (n = 17). The prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms ranged from 18% to 49% (n = 11) and 23% to 34% (n = 2), respectively. HFI during pregnancy was associated with increased odds of experiencing symptoms of depression [(OR: 2.52; 95% CI: 2.11-3.02), I2 = 73.23%]. The quality of evidence was very low due to high heterogeneity. Our findings highlighted the association between HFI and depression symptoms during pregnancy. Findings from this study suggest the importance of assessing HFI and mental health during pregnancy.

The Happy Child Program's Intersectionality: Prenatal Home Visit Frequency, Food Insecurity Risk, Symptoms of Depression, and Parental Practices in Brazilian Women Assisted during Pregnancy.

Food insecurity (FI) is a critical issue in developing countries, particularly in low-resource settings, where it can worsen women's mental health. Psychosocial factors such as low household income, limited education, multiparity, and vulnerability are linked to depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Additionally, the family environment influences parental practices, which may impact mental health. This study evaluates the association of socioeconomic factors, parental practices, FI risk, and home visit frequency with depressive symptoms in pregnant women enrolled in the Happy Child Program (Programa Criança Feliz-PCF) in the Federal District, Brazil. In this cross-sectional study, 132 pregnant women monitored by PCF from May to July 2023 were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire for socioeconomic data, the two-item Triage for Food Insecurity (TRIA) instrument for FI risk, the Scale of Parental Beliefs and Early Childhood Care Practices, and the Beck Depression Inventory-II for depressive symptoms. Most participants were multiparous (87.9%), had low income (under 200 USD/month; 80.8%), presented depressive symptoms (67.4%) and were at risk of FI (81.8%). About half demonstrated adequate parental practices (50.8%) and received four home visits per month during pregnancy (54.5%). Women who received four PCF home visits had a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those with fewer visits (PR 0.76, 95% CI 0.59-0.98). No significant association was found between FI or parental practices and depressive symptoms. These findings suggest that the PCF home-visiting program may strengthen vulnerable families, support social networks, and improve mental health during pregnancy. Additionally, the results of this study highlight the need for targeted interventions aimed at reducing food insecurity and promoting mental health during pregnancy, particularly among socially vulnerable populations. Furthermore, they reinforce the importance of expanding access to home-visiting programs as an effective strategy to improve maternal mental health and well-being, while fostering healthier prenatal environments for both mothers and their children.

Network analysis model investigating the relationship between social support and depression symptoms in pregnant women based on personality differences

Network analysis model investigating the relationship between social support and depression symptoms in pregnant women based on personality differences

Promoting mental wellbeing in pregnant women living in Pakistan with the Safe Motherhood—Accessible Resilience Training (SM-ART) intervention: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe negative impact of adverse perinatal mental health extends beyond the mother and child; therefore, it is essential to make an early intervention for the management of mental illness during pregnancy. Resilience-building interventions are demonstrated to reduce depression and anxiety among expectant mothers, yet research in this field is limited. This study aims to examine the effect of the ‘Safe Motherhood—Accessible Resilience Training (SM-ART)’ on resilience, marital adjustment, depression, and pregnancy-related anxiety in a sample of pregnant women in Karachi, Pakistan.MethodIn this single-blinded block randomized controlled study, 200 pregnant women were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention or a control group using computer-generated randomization and opaque sealed envelopes. The intervention group received the SM-ART intervention consisting of six, weekly sessions ranging from 60 to 90 min. Outcomes (Resilience, depression, pregnancy-related anxiety and marital harmony) were assessed through validated instruments at baseline and after six weeks of both intervention and control groups.ResultsThe results revealed a significant increase in mean resilience scores (Difference:6.91, Effect size: 0.48, p-value < 0.05) and a decrease in depressive symptoms (Difference: -2.12, Effect size: 0.21, p-value < 0.05) in the intervention group compared to the control group. However, no significant change was observed in anxiety and marital adjustment scores.ConclusionThe SM-ART intervention has the potential to boost resilience scores and decrease depressive symptoms in pregnant women and offers a promising intervention to improve maternal psychological health.Trial registrationNCT04694261, Date of first trial registration: 05/01/2021.

Factors effecting on health-promoting behaviors in iranian pregnant women and their husbands: the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM)

IntroductionPregnancy is an important period of life for women and their husbands as the couple’s health is essential. The present study evaluated the impact of some factors (marital adjustment with depressive symptoms) on health-promoting behaviors in pregnant women and their husbands based on the actor-partner interdependence model (APIM).Materials and methodsThis descriptive study examined 211 couples (pregnant women and their husbands) in pregnancy clinics of Babol University of Medical Sciences using a convenience sampling method. The participants completed Spanier’s Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) (1979), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) (1987), and Walker’s Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLPII) questionnaire (1997). The relationships between women and their husbands were also evaluated using structural equation modeling with R software according to the Lavaan (latent variable analysis) package based on APIM-SEM.ResultsThe pregnant women’s marital adjustment positively affected their health-promoting behaviors (β = 0.456, 95% Cl: 0.491–0.998, p < 0.001) and their husbands’ (β = 0.210, 95% Cl: 0.030–0.726, p = 0.048). Pregnant woman’s depressive symptoms also negatively affected their health-promoting behaviors (β=-0.088, 95% Cl: -0.974–0.074, P = 0.236) and their husbands’ health-promoting behaviors (β=-0.177, 95% Cl: -0.281 – -0.975, P = 0.011). Furthermore, the husband’s marital adjustment only positively affected his studied behaviors (β = 0.323, 95% Cl: 0.0303–0.895, P < 0.001) but did not affect the pregnant woman’s health behaviors. The husband’s depressive symptoms had a negative impact on his studied behaviors (β = 0.219, 95% Cl: -0.122 – -0.917, P = 0.001) and did not affect the pregnant woman’s depressive symptoms. Our findings confirmed the mediating role of depressive symptoms in pregnant women and their husbands on the association of marital adjustment and health-promoting behaviors. According to the actor-partner study, a pregnant woman’s marital adjustment scores positively affected her studied behaviors and her husband (β = 0.071, 95% Cl: 0.042–0.278, P = 0.015) by decreasing her depression score. Therefore, the husband’s marital adjustment score positively affected his studied behaviors by decreasing his depression score (β = 0.084, 95% Cl: -0.053 -0.292, P = 0.005), and it did not affect his wife’s health-promoting behaviors.Discussion and conclusionThese findings suggest healthcare providers, obstetricians, and psychologists evaluate the husbands’ symptoms of depression and health-promoting behaviors in the routine pregnancy care of pregnant women. They also pay great attention to marital adjustment as a determinant of reducing depressive symptoms in pregnant women and their husbands.

Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Czech Republic—Broader Sociodemographic Causes, Connections and Implications

(Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand. 2023;102:1014–1025) The COVID-19 pandemic has profoundly impacted various aspects of life, posing risks not only to physical health but also to mental well-being. Psychological effects such as stress, anxiety, and depression are prevalent, particularly among pregnant women, with potential repercussions for pregnancy outcomes. This study explored the sociodemographic and psychological factors during the COVID pandemic that affected the mood of pregnant Czech women. Conducted through the MindCOVID study, our survey included 1830 pregnant women, utilizing standardized instruments (GAD-7 and PHQ-9) to assess anxiety and depression. The study focused on culturally specific characteristics and risk factors for mental disorders, providing valuable insights for effective multidisciplinary health care planning.

Mild differences in the role of somatic symptoms in depression networks in pregnancy and postpartum: A comparison with women outside peripartum

Depression is one of the most prevalent mental ailments in pregnancy. Many authors have discussed the appropriateness of somatic symptoms for depression assessment in pregnancy and postpartum. However, no study has examined the role of somatic symptoms in networks of pregnant and postpartum women compared to women outside peripartum. Here, we show that somatic symptoms are essential to depression assessment during pregnancy and postpartum. We compared networks of the nine PHQ-9 items across pregnant women (n = 894, Mage = 29.29), women in postpartum (n = 586, Mage = 29.83) and women outside peripartum (n = 1029, Mage = 24.87). While three of the five somatic symptoms in PHQ-9 were more present in pregnant women than in those outside the peripartum, the three networks were highly similar regarding the position of the somatic symptoms and their relation to the emotional-cognitive symptoms. Most depression symptoms in pregnant women were predicted by other depression symptoms to a lesser extent than in postpartum and outside peripartum. Other external variables are therefore needed to explain these sensations in pregnancy. In addition to the incidence of somatic symptoms, practitioners should ask pregnant women about their attributions of these.

Anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic

Anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women at the end of the COVID-19 pandemic

Partner support for women’s antidepressant treatment and its association with depressive symptoms in pregnant women, mothers, and women planning pregnancy

PurposeTo examine the association between partner support for women’s antidepressant treatment and depressive symptoms in pregnant women, those planning pregnancy, and mothers who ever used antidepressants.MethodsWe included 334 women (n=44 planners, n=182 pregnant, n=108 mothers) ever treated with antidepressants within the HEALTHx2 study, a web-based cross-sectional study conducted across Norway in June 2020 to June 2021. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and two questions of the Patient Health Questionnaire measured depressive symptoms, by degree of severity and for depressed mood, anxiety, and anhedonia sub-dimensions. Partner support was measured using one item from the Antidepressant Compliance Questionnaire. Association was estimated via unadjusted and adjusted linear and logistic regression models.ResultsBeing unsupported by the partner was associated with increased odds of reporting moderate-to-very-severe depressive symptoms in mothers (adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 3.57; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.04–12.19) and pregnant women (aOR, 3.26; 95% CI, 0.95–11.14), relative to being supported. Pregnant women (adjusted mean difference (β), 0.76; 95% CI, 0.14–1.38) and mothers (β, 0.93; 95% CI, 0.23–1.64) with no support for their antidepressant treatment presented greater symptoms of anhedonia; for women planning pregnancy, this association emerged in relation to anxiety symptoms (β among non-users of antidepressant, 2.58; 95% CI, 1.04–4.13).ConclusionsPartner support for women’s antidepressant treatment may play a key role in depressive symptoms severity and the subtypes of anhedonia and anxiety, among women planning pregnancy, pregnant women, and mothers. This highlights the importance of partner inclusion in the complex decision-making process for antidepressant treatment around the time of pregnancy.

Depressive symptoms in pregnant women treated at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora

Introduction. Pregnancy, being a situation of vulnerability and with its inherent changes, places women at a great risk of depression. In Mexico, the prevalence of probable depression in pregnant women treated at the Instituto Nacional de Perinatología, was 17.8%, assessed using the Edinburgh Perinatal Depression Scale (EPDS). To date, there are no data regarding this issue in Sonora. Objective. To determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women treated at the Hospital Infantil del Estado de Sonora (México). Method. An observational, descriptive, transversal, and prospective study was conducted in 2021, applying the EPDS in 168 2nd/3rd trimester pregnant women, selected by non-probabilistic sampling by consecutive cases. Sociodemographic variables, pathological/non-pathological, gynecological, and obstetrical personal history were explored. The analysis was performed using measures of central tendency and dispersion for quantitative variables; for qualitative variables, frequency and percentage; χ2 test to assess differences in distribution of depressive symptomatology by age and the rest of variables. Results. A global prevalence of “probable depression” of 14.3% was determined. The majority, within 20-29 age group, with a partner and a planned/desired pregnancy. High school educational level, 50%. History of intimate partner violence, 54.2%. Almost 40%, primigravida. Substance use, denied. Overweight/obesity, in 70%. Discussion and conclusion. There is a high prevalence of depressive symptoms during pregnancy, going unnoticed for reasons such as insufficient knowledge (patient/health care providers), since there is no routine screening. It is imperative to work on prevention, detection and treatment, since it entails multiple consequences at a binomial, family, and social level.

SINTOMAS DEPRESSIVOS E FATORES ASSOCIADOS EM GESTANTES ASSISTIDAS NA ATENÇÃO PRIMÁRIA À SAÚDE

ABSTRACT Objective: to analyze the prevalence and factors associated with depressive symptoms in pregnant women attended in primary healthcare. Method: this is an epidemiological, cross-sectional and analytical study conducted in Montes Claros, in the north of the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The dependent variable (depressive symptoms) and independent variables (sociodemographic characteristics, social support, obstetric characteristics, sexuality and health conditions) were collected through a questionnaire and validated scales. The collection took place between October 2018 and November 2019. Descriptive, bivariate and multiple analyzes were performed through multinomial logistics regression. Results: a sample of 1,279 pregnant women was evaluated. The estimated prevalence of moderate and serious depressive symptoms was 16.2% and 25.2%, respectively. Low social support (p&lt;0.001), low sexual performance (p = 0.002) and a high level of perceived stress (p&lt;0.001) were factors associated with moderate depressive symptoms. First gestational trimester (p = 0.006), low social support (p&lt;0.001), low sexual performance (p&lt;0.001) and a high level of perceived stress (p&lt;0.001) were factors associated with serious depressive symptoms. Conclusion: the prevalence of moderate and serious depressive symptoms in pregnant women attended in primary healthcare was considerable. Factors related to social support, gestational quarter (first quarter), sexuality and perceived stress showed association with these symptoms. Caution and the promotion of mental health is necessary for pregnant women in this scenario.

Depresión en la población gestante peruana y sus factores asociados: análisis de la Encuesta Demográfica y de Salud Familiar 2018-2019

ObjectiveTo determine the factors associated with the presence of depressive symptoms in the Peruvian pregnant population using the Demographic and Family Health Survey ENDES 2018–2019. Material and methodsA secondary base analysis of the ENDES 2018 and 2019 was carried out. The PHQ-9 instrument was used to evaluate depressive symptoms. Standardized questions were used to measure the history of violence. In the multi-variable model, Poisson regression was used, the crude PR was calculated and adjusted with 95% CI, the variables entered the model according to statistical criteria. ResultsThe prevalence of depressive symptoms in pregnant women was 6.8%. There was 19.7% of pregnant women who expressed having had a history of general violence. An association was found with said antecedent (PRa 3.8, 95% CI=1.6; 8.8, p=0.002), the presence of some type of disability (PRa=9.4, 95% CI=1.8; 50.1, p=0.01) and the number of children (PRa=1.5, 95% CI=1.0; 2.2, p=0.03). Respondents who wanted to wait longer to get pregnant were 5.1 times the prevalence of depressive symptoms compared to those who wanted to get pregnant at that time (p<0.001). There was no significant association between the rest of the variables and the outcome. ConclusionThe present study showed that a history of general violence, the presence of some type of disability, the number of children and the waiting time to get pregnant are associated with depressive symptoms in pregnant women. More studies are required, especially of a longitudinal type.

Effectiveness of Online Mindfulness-Based Intervention on Depression in Pregnancy

The high prevalence of depression in developed and developing countries requires a relevant intervention to suppress its incidence. Mindfulness-based intervention is given online as a new complementary intervention that can help reduce symptoms of depression. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of online mindfulness-based interventions in reducing depressive symptoms in pregnancy. This research method used a randomized control trial, with 66 participants consisting of the mindfulness-based Intervention (MBI) group of 33 participants and the control group of 33 participants. The MBI intervention was provided for eight weeks online. The study uses simple random sampling. Depression was assessed using DASS 42. Data were tested using the Mann-Whitney U Test and t-test and processed with SPSS version 23. The results showed that there was a significant decrease in depression levels in the online MBI group after being given intervention compared to the control group (7.55 ± 2.181 vs 11.00 ± 2.345) p=0.000. Mindfulness-based intervention online can reduce depressive symptoms in pregnant women, so that the intervention becomes a feasible, cheap and easy intervention for pregnant women in improving mental health. In the future, this research can develop other types of complementary interventions to improve maternal and fetal health.

Anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic-Broader sociodemographic causes, connections and implications.

Our study (part of multicentric "MindCOVID") investigates risk factors for anxiety and depression among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Czech Republic. The study used a prospective cross-sectional design. Data was collected using an online self-administered questionnaire. Standardized scales, general anxiety disorder (GAD)-7 and patient health questionnaire (PHQ)-9 were administered online. Multivariate regression analysis was employed to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic, medical and psychological variables. The Czech sample included 1830 pregnant women. An increase of depressive and anxiety symptoms measured by PHQ-9 and GAD-7 in pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic was associated with unfavorable financial situation, low social and family support, psychological and medical problems before and during pregnancy and infertility treatment. Fear of being infected and adverse effect of COVID-19, feeling of burden related to restrictions during delivery and organization of delivery and feeling of burden related to finances were associated with worse anxiety and depressive symptoms. Social and emotional support and lack of financial worries are protective factors against mood disorders in pregnant women in relation to COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, adequate information about organization of delivery and additional support from healthcare professionals during the delivery are needed. Our findings can be used for preventive interventions, given that repeated pandemics in the future are anticipated.

The impact of the second COVID-19 lockdown on anxiety and depressive symptoms in pregnant women: A case study of pregnant women in northern Italy

Backgroundthe different lockdown phases due to COVID-19 may have negatively impacted pregnant women's mental health. Concerning antenatal stress, most studies focused more on the effect of pandemic onset than on the impact of the following phases and restrictions. Aimthe present study aimed to assess levels of anxiety and depression in a group of Italian pregnant women during the second COVID-19 phase and possible risk factors. MethodWe recruited 156 pregnant women through our Perinatal Psychology Outpatient Clinic. We divided the sample into women recruited before the pandemic (N = 88) through a face-to-face antenatal class and pregnant women recruited during the second lockdown (Covid-19 study group) (November 2020–April 2021) through the same antenatal class via Skype (N = 68). To investigate depressive and anxiety symptoms, we administered the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the State and Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y) scales; women's medical history and obstetric data were collected. Findingswomen belonging to the Covid-19 study group reported higher depressive and anxious levels than the pre-pandemic group. Moreover, during the second lockdown previous psychopathology and being close to childbirth were related to increased depression; a history of abortion was related to higher levels of trait anxiety instead. Conclusionrecurrent restrictive measures due to COVID-19 negatively affected the antenatal mental well-being of pregnant women, particularly worsening depressive and anxious feelings. Pregnant women during the pandemic represented a vulnerable population to be monitored more closely and timely to prevent psychological problems in the postpartum period and their consequences on the child. Keywordsanxiety, depression, pregnancy, COVID-19, mental health, lockdown.

Dấu hiệu trầm cảm và một số yếu tố liên quan ở phụ nữ mang thai tại bệnh viện Phụ sản Hà Nội

Objectives: Evaluated depressive symptoms in pregnant women and identified risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Hanoi Obstetrics and Gynecology hospital collecting data from November 2021 to March 2022, using a structured questionnaire among 444 pregnant women. Edinburgh Depression Scale was used to assess antenatal depression. Anxiety and social support were investigated by the PROMIS Anxiety Adult, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to determine related factors for antenatal depression. Main findings: 68.2% of participants reported antenatal depressive symptoms. Risk factors were previous stillbirth, current gynecological diseases, and antenatal anxiety. While higher levels of social support, later trimester, higher educational levels were associated with lower psychological symptoms. Conclusions: We emphasized the importance of implementing formal screening programs to detect antennal depression early and encourage the support from family and friends for expected mother during pregnancy. Keywords: Depression, pregnancy, pregnant women, COVID-19.

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms in Pregnant Women and Related Perinatal Outcomes.

To evaluate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnant women and their relationship with pregnancy outcomes, 1087 pregnant women completed online questionnaires. Anxiety symptoms were measured using the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS). Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) was used to assess sleep quality. Univariate analysis and logistic regression analysis were used to determine the association between depression and anxiety symptoms, participants’ characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes. Of the 986 pregnant women who were included in this study, the rates of anxiety symptoms and depressive tendencies were 13.4% and 18.3%, respectively. Sleep disorder ((Adjusted odds ratio, AOR = 4.166; 95% confidence interval, CI: 2.797−6.205), time spent paying attention to the epidemic per day (≥1 h/d AOR = 1.568; 95% CI: 1.052−2.338), and the time spent with their spouses (Increase AOR = 0.629; 95% CI: 0.409−0.967) were associated with the risk of anxiety. Sleep disorder (AOR = 3.839; 95% CI: 2.718−5.432) and educational level (bachelor’s degree or above AOR = 1.833; 95% CI: 1.004−3.345) were associated with the risk of depression. Psychological status was not correlated with the pregnancy outcomes (p > 0.05). Anxiety and depression symptoms were common among pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. Special attention should be paid to manage their risk factors.

Dysfunctional Attitudes Toward Motherhood and Depressive Symptoms in Portuguese Pregnant Women During COVID-19 Pandemic: the Mediating Roles of Self-Compassion and Mindful Self-Care

ObjectivesThere is evidence that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic had a negative impact on the mental health of pregnant women, such as an increase in the prevalence of depression. Given the negative consequences that depressive symptoms can pose for pregnant women, it is crucial to understand how cognitive processes influence women’s depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic among this specific vulnerable population. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between pregnant women’s dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood and their depressive symptoms, considering the mediating roles of self-compassion and mindful self-care.MethodA cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Portugal between October 2020 and April 2021. A sample of 244 pregnant women answered a set of questionnaires to assess dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood, depressive symptoms, self-compassion, and mindful self-care.ResultsMore dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood were associated with higher levels of depressive symptoms, and this relation was mediated through self-compassion and mindful self-care.ConclusionsThese results highlight that self-compassion and mindful self-care are important psychological mechanisms and the importance of considering them in psychological interventions to prevent and/or treat depressive symptoms in pregnant women with dysfunctional attitudes toward motherhood during stressful events such as a pandemic.