Psychological Distress In Women Research Articles

Body appreciation as a protective factor in women with fibromyalgia: an examination of associations between pain perception, social comparison and psychological distress.

While symptoms of fibromyalgia (FM) and psychological distress are directly linked, indirect effects are also apparent. The aim of the present study was to develop an explanatory model for the effect of FM on women's psychological distress and identify possible protective and risk factors. This study comprised of total of 293 women aged 20-68 (M= 34.3, SD = 12.1), of which 141 were women with FM and 152 healthy peers (HP), who completed questionnaires regarding demographic characteristics, anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), body appreciation (BAS-2), social comparison strategies, and pain assessment (SF-MPQ). FM patients demonstrated higher psychological distress, i.e., depression and anxiety and lower body appreciation. Body appreciation significantly correlated with social comparison coping strategies. Body appreciation and social comparison strategies mediated the link between FM and psychological distress. Among FM patients, body appreciation moderated the links between pain intensity and aspects of social comparison strategies, thus explaining the link between pain intensity and psychological distress. Women with FM demonstrated higher levels of anxiety and depression symptoms and lower body appreciation compared to HP. The unique role of body appreciation in moderating the indirect link between pain and psychological distress appears to be protective.

Violence against Infertility, Self-Esteem and Psychological Distress in women having Infertility

The current study aims to investigate the relationship amongst violence against infertility, self-esteem, and psychological distress in women having infertility, and to ascertain the mediation effect of self-esteem between Violence against infertility and Psychological Distress. A purposive sampling strategy was used to collect a sample of 110 women having primary and secondary infertility. Infertile Women’s Exposure to Violence Determination Scale (Onat, 2014) was used to access Violence Against infertility, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, (Rosenberg, 1965) was used to measure the level of self-esteem and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (Kessler et al., 2002) used to access psychological distress. The correlation was found through Product Moment Correlation Analysis and mediation was run using PROCESS (Hayes, 2013). The finding of the study suggested that violence against infertility was positively correlated with psychological distress and negatively correlated with Self-Esteem. A significant negative relationship was also found between psychological distress and self-esteem. self-esteem has asignificant mediating effect onthe relationship between violence against infertility and psychological distress. This study can help health practitioners and psychologists to work on mental health of women having infertility to decrease the impact of violence and psychological distress

Fear of childbirth and high stress are predictive of psychological disturbances during pregnancy

Mental health disorders, particularly psychological distress in women in the last trimester of pregnancy, are generally underestimated and under-diagnosed by health professionals. Thus, this quantitative descriptive study has the following main objectives: a) to evaluate depressive and anxiety disorders during the third trimester of pregnancy, b) to identify certain risk factors of these mental problems and, c) to determine the impact of these disorders on the quality of life of pregnant women.
 To achieve these objectives, a validated questionnaire translated into dialectal Arabic was used with 178 pregnant women in the third trimester of their pregnancy, the majority of whom were in the last month of gestation. Our study was conducted in the Marrakech-Safi region in two urban health centres: the Oasis, Youssef Ben Tachfine and a delivery unit.
 The results we obtained in this work showed that anxiety is proven in 60.11% of pregnant women and only 44.38% are diagnosed as depressed, while a percentage of about 79.21% of parturients showed that they suffer from the anxiety-depression syndrome. High stress levels, body dissatisfaction caused by pregnancy and even fear of childbirth are preliminary risk factors for anxiety and depression in the last trimester of pregnancy, not to mention the the relieving effect of self-esteem against these mental disorders.
 As a result of this work, and in order to combat these health problems throughout pregnancy, it has been necessary to integrate preventive and sometimes curative measures in the prenatal medical follow-up.
 Keywords: Mental Health, Anxiety, depression, Quality of life

The effect of stigma on level of ınfertility-related psychological distress in women with infertility.

This study was conducted to examine the effect of stigma on level of ınfertility-related psychological distress of women with infertility. Descriptive study was conducted in infertility clinics in Turkey. This study was completed with 198 infertile women. Infertility Distress Scale was 42.69±7.79, the mean total score of the Infertility Stigma Scale was 52.80±23.44. It was found that the psychological effect of infertility increased among women as the Infertility Stigma Scale total scores and its sub-dimension scores increased. Developing appropriate interventions by considering infertility and the level of being affected by stigma allows women to cope with this process in a healthier way, which is thought to increase the success of women's treatment.

Explaining the Psychological Distress of Women with High-Risk Pregnancies in Iran: A Qualitative Study.

Psychological Distress (PD) is one of the most common mental disorders during pregnancy and involves stress, anxiety, and depression. According to the literature, High-Risk Pregnancy' (HRP) is a major physiological risk factor associated with PD during pregnancy. The main purpose of this study was to explore the perception and experience of women with HRP who, based on standard questionnaires, had moderate-to-severe stress and anxiety scores. This qualitative study was conducted using conventional content analysis from December 2020 to June 2021. To this aim, 16 women with HRP were purposefully selected from Imam Khomeini Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, with maximum diversity. In-depth, semi-structured, individual interviews were conducted to collect the data. The MAXQDA software was used for data analysis. Data analysis led to the extraction of two main categories and nine subcategories. "Disrupted peace" and "inefficient adaptation to the situation" were the two extracted categories. The former included the five subcategories of concerns about pregnancy complications, concerns about the parenting process, concerns about the couple's relationship, fear of Covid-19, and occupation-related stress. The latter included the three subcategories of unpleasant feelings, current pregnancy experiences, and previous pregnancy experiences. This study highlighted a wide range of psychosocial factors involved in the PD of women with HRP. These findings can be used to design appropriate prevention strategies to manage the mental health problems of these women in order to turn their pregnancy into a pleasurable experience.

Personality, Defense Mechanisms and Psychological Distress in Women with Fibromyalgia.

Background: Previous studies have shown that many personality traits are associated with fibromyalgia (FM), worsening both the quality of life and psychological distress of patients. Despite the high comorbidity of psychopathological disorders in this syndrome and their association with immature defense styles, few studies have examined the defense mechanisms used by FM patients. The main aim of our study was to investigate personality traits and defense mechanisms in FM patients compared to in a healthy control group (HC). Moreover, we investigated the effect of personality traits and defense mechanisms on psychological distress in both FM and HC groups. Methods: A total of 54 women with FM and 54 healthy women completed the (1) Temperament and Character Inventory—Revised; (2) the Toronto Alexithymia Scale; (3) the Defense Style Questionnaire; and (4) the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Results: The results indicated that FM patients display higher alexithymia, higher harm avoidance, lower self-directedness, lower persistence, and the higher use of a maladaptive defense style compared to HC. We found that alexithymia, harm avoidance, and maladaptive defense style are significant predictors of patients’ psychological distress. Moreover, harm avoidance and adaptive defense style significantly predicted psychological distress in the HC group. Conclusion: The present study is the first to explore the contribution of both defense mechanisms and personality characteristics on the psychological distress of FM patients. Our findings have important clinical implications and may help diagnose and treat FM patients more in depth.

Comparison of the Effectiveness of group Dialectical Behavior Therapy with group Schema Therapy on Psychological Distress in Women with Coronary Heart Disease

Aim: This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of group dialectical behavior therapy with group schema therapy on psychological distress in women with coronary heart disease. Method: This was a quasi-experimental study using a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included women suffering from coronary heart disease referred to Azadi Hospital in Tehran in 2018-2019, 45 people were selected as a statistical sample by available sampling method and divided into two experimental groups, and one control group (15 people for each group) were replaced. The research measurement tools included psychological distress (Kessler et al., 2002). After completing eight sessions of dialectical behavioral therapy (two sessions per week for 4 weeks) and eight sessions of group schema therapy (two sessions per week for 4 weeks) in the experimental groups, the questionnaires were repeated immediately and after three months. The sequence was completed as a post-test and follow-up in groups. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential (repeated measures analysis of variance) in SPSS.23 software. Results: The results of repeated measures analysis of variance showed that both treatments were effective on psychological distress in women with coronary heart disease from pre-test to post-test and follow-up (p=0.001). The Bonferroni post hoc test results also showed that group dialectical behavior therapy has a more significant effect on reducing psychological distress in women with coronary heart disease than group schema therapy from pre-test to post-test and follow-up (p=0.001). Conclusion: Therefore, group dialectical behavior therapy training is recommended as an effective intervention method for reducing psychological distress in women with coronary heart disease.

Structural relationships of pain intensity and self-efficacy with fear of movement mediated by psychological distress in women with rheumatoid arthritis

Aim: The present study was conducted with the aim of determining the relationship between pain intensity and self-efficacy with fear of movement with the mediation of psychological distress in women with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods: The current research method was correlation based on the structural equation model. The statistical population of this study included women with rheumatism referred to the rheumatology clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital (RA) in Sari city. 224 participants were selected as a sample using the available and purposeful sampling method and answered the questions of Tempa fear of movement scale (Corey et al., 1990), brief pain intensity questionnaire (Cleland, 1991), pain self-efficacy questionnaire (Nicholas, 1989) and Psychological Distress Scale (Laviband & Laviband, 1995). Data analysis was done using the structural equation modeling method. Results: It showed that pain intensity has a direct effect on fear of movement (p<0.01, β=0.32); Pain self-efficacy has a direct effect on fear of movement (p<0.01, β=0.42); Psychological distress has a direct effect on fear of movement (p<0.01, β=0.78); Pain intensity has an indirect effect on fear of movement with the mediation of psychological distress (β=0.532, p < 0.01) and pain self-efficacy has an indirect effect on fear of movement with the mediation of psychological distress (p < 0.01, 0.530). =β). Conclusion: The model of fear of movement based on pain intensity and self-efficacy with the mediation of psychological distress is suitable in women with rheumatism. The findings of this study prove the importance of psychological interventions in reducing physical symptoms in chronic diseases.

The Effectiveness of Cognitive-Behavioral Stress Management in Improving Rumination and Psychological Distress in Women Experiencing Marital Infidelity

Aim: The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral stress management in improving rumination and psychological distress in women faced with marital infidelity in Tehran in 2021. Methods: The present quasi-experimental study had a pretest-posttest design with a control group and a follow-up stage. The statistical population consisted of 94 women faced with infidelity who visited counseling centers in district 11 of Tehran. 40 eligible women were selected by the convenience sampling method and were randomly assigned to the experimental group (20 per group), and the control group (n=20). The experimental group received cognitive-behavioral stress management therapy by Anthony et al. (2009) for ten 90-minute sessions, and the control group was placed on the waiting list. The research tools included the rumination questionnaire by Nolen-Hoeksema and Morrow (1991) and the psychological distress scale by Lovibond (1995). The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using SPSS24 and repeated-measures analysis of variance Results: The results indicated that cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) was effective in reducing rumination (F=5.74, P=0.001), Depression (F=18.45, P=0.001), Anxiety (F=17.93, P=0.001) and Stress (F=17.05, P=0.001) in women faced with infidelity, and the effect was stable at the follow-up stage. Conclusion: According to the results, cognitive-behavioral stress management was an effective intervention in reducing rumination and psychological distress in women faced with husbands’ infidelity.

Evaluation of predictor factors of psychological distress in women with unexplained infertility.

Objective:The objective of this study was to establish the frequency of anxiety and depressive symptoms among women diagnosed with unexplained infertility and to identify risk factors.Methods:We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study. Forty-two women from the CHU de Quebec fertility clinic were recruited. Women completed the ‘Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale’ (HADS) self-administered questionnaire, used to estimate prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms (score ≥ 8).Results:Overall, 55% (n = 23) of participants were identified with anxiety or depressive symptoms according to the HADS questionnaire. Anxiety symptoms were more frequent (55%) compared with depressive symptoms (10%). According to a logistic regression model, being under 35 years old [odds ratio (OR) = 16.6, confidence interval (CI): 1.9–25.0], never had a previous spontaneous abortion (OR = 5.6, CI: 1.1–43.5) and never sought fertility treatment (OR = 5.5, CI: 1.1–45.4) were associated with a higher risk of anxiety and depressive symptoms.Conclusion:Anxiety and depressive symptoms are common among women with unexplained infertility, and strategies should be developed to better support and treat this high-risk population.

An Exploratory Study of Gender Role Stress and Psychological Distress of Women in Kosovo.

Introduction:Although investigations of changing gender roles have been performed globally, most studies have been conducted in high-income countries, and studies from emerging and developing countries are lacking. This study aims to examine the factor structure of the feminine gender role stress scale among women (FGRS) and explore its relationship with psychological distress (PD).Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out with 656 women from Kosovo using a convenience sampling technique during October 2017 and March 2018. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews and analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 21 and Mplus 7.3. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and path analysis were used to understand the goodness-of-fit of the FGRS scale in the Kosovo context and explore the relationship between the FGRS scale and PD when treated as latent variables. Multivariance analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to understand the differences between groups of women based on employment and FGRS. Multinomial logistic regression was used to assess the prediction of different domains of FGRS for PD separately for each category while controlling for age.Results:After demonstrating that the five-factor model of the FGRS showed a good fit to the data in this sample of Kosovo women, analyses revealed that the FGRS domains (fear of victimization and behaving with assertiveness) were positively associated with psychological distress.Conclusion:The findings validate the usefulness of the FGRS scale in a sample of Kosovar women. The intersectionality perspective was used to interpret the importance of multiple layers of vulnerabilities and their coexistence, including education, socioeconomic status, and their implications for health inequalities.

The Moo\u2019D Study: protocol for a randomised controlled trial of A2 beta-casein only versus conventional dairy products in women with low mood

BackgroundBeta-casein is a major protein in cow’s milk, of which A1 and A2 are the most frequent variants. Recent evidence implicates A1 beta-casein consumption in mechanisms that are of potential importance to mental health, yet its possible effects on psychological endpoints remains unknown. The primary aim of the study is to evaluate the comparative effects of consumption of dairy products containing A2 beta-casein versus conventional dairy (i.e. containing both A1 and A2 beta-casein) on symptoms of psychological distress in women with low mood.Methods‘The Moo’D Study’ is a 16-week, superiority, 1:1 parallel group, triple-blinded, randomised controlled trial. Ninety women with low mood (Patient Health Questionnaire score ≥ 5) will be randomised to consume either A2 beta-casein only or conventional dairy products. The primary outcome, symptoms of psychological distress, will be measured by the 21-item Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale. Secondary outcomes will include symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, severity of low mood, cognition, gut microbiota composition, gut symptomatology, markers of immune function, gut inflammation, systemic metabolites, endothelial integrity and oxidative stress, body composition, perceived wellbeing, sleep, quality of life, resource use and cost-effectiveness.DiscussionThis study will advance our understanding of the possible impact of milk proteins on psychological distress in women as well as elucidate mechanisms underpinning any association. Given dairy products form a substantial component of traditional and Western diets, the implications of these findings are likely to be of clinical and public health importance.Trial registrationThe trial protocol has been prospectively registered with the Australia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, ACTRN12618002023235. Registered on 17 December 2018.

Effect of omega-3 and vitamin D co-supplementation on psychological distress in reproductive-aged women with pre-diabetes and hypovitaminosis D: A randomized controlled trial.

PurposePsychological distresses and pre‐diabetes are among the risk factors of developing type‐II diabetes. The present study was conducted to determine the effectiveness of omega‐3 and vitamin D co‐supplementation on psychological distresses in women of reproductive age with pre‐diabetes and hypovitaminosis D.MethodsThe present factorial clinical trial was conducted on 168 women of reproductive age with pre‐diabetes and hypovitaminosis D. These participants were selected by stratified random sampling and were assigned to four groups for 8 weeks: group 1 (placebo group), group 2 (omega‐3 group), group 3 (vitamin D group), and group 4 (co‐supplement group). The medication and placebo doses being two 1000‐mg tablets each day for omega‐3 and 50,000‐IU pearls every 2 weeks for vitamin D. Fasting blood glucose and vitamin D were measured at the beginning of the study. The Depression Anxiety Stress Scale‐21 and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were completed by the participants at the start and end of the intervention.ResultsA significant difference was observed in terms of reduction in anxiety and improvement in sleep quality in the co‐supplementation compared to the other three groups (p < .05). There was also a significant difference between the group receiving both supplements and the group receiving only placebos in terms of reduction in depression and stress (p < .05).ConclusionVitamin D and omega‐3 co‐supplementation improved depression, anxiety, and sleep quality in women of reproductive age with pre‐diabetes and hypovitaminosis D. Therefore, these two supplements can be recommended for improving the mental health of this group of women.Clinical trial registryIranian Registry of Clinical Trials Code: IRCT20100130003226N17. Registered on February 9, 2019.

Marital Quality, Self-compassion and Psychological Distress in Women with Primary Infertility

Marital Quality, Self-compassion and Psychological Distress in Women with Primary Infertility

Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Emotional control, the attempt to suppress the expression of negative effects, is an essential factor in the prevalence of psychological distress in women with breast cancer. The Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) is a commonly used self-report tool for assessing emotional suppression in both clinical and general groups. This study aimed to validate the Chinese version of the Courtauld Emotional Control Scale (CECS) in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. The study involved 680 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer aged 25 to 76 (mean age = 48.19, standard deviation (SD) = 8.57) from Changsha (China). Data analysis included Cronbach's alpha coefficients, the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), Pearson's correlations, Independent-Samples T test, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM) were conducted to determine the optimal model. For the best fitting model stability was assessed with tests for invariance across age, educational level, and employment status. Internal consistency (α = 0.987) and test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.715) of the CECS were presented. Results confirm the structure of the Chinese version of the CECS with 21 items divided into three dimensions, anger suppression (CECS_AG), depression suppression (CECS_MD), and anxiety suppression (CECS_AX). Convergent and known-groups validity were acceptable. Additionally, this model remained invariant across age, educational levels, and employment status. The Chinese version of the CECS has good psychometric properties in terms of reliability and validity, remaining invariant across age, educational levels, and employment status in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Body image, internalized stigma and enacted stigma predict psychological distress in women with breast cancer: A serial mediation model.

To investigate the roles of total stigma, enacted stigma, and internalized stigma in the prediction of psychological distress among breast cancer patients, and to evaluate the mediating effect of body image in this process. Cross-sectional. Between Oct-2014 to May-2015, a cross-sectional study was conducted with participation of 223 patients from three cancer centres located in Tehran, Iran. The study variables were assessed using the stigma scale for chronic illnesses 8-item version (SSCI-8), body image scale (BIS), and depression anxiety stress scale (DASS-21). Structural equation modelling using MLR estimator was employed based on the two-step procedure to validate both the full measurement models and the structural models. Five models were tested to determine predictability of all stigma constructs for psychological distress, including stress, anxiety, and depression, through the mediation of body image. Three equivalent models were further examined to re-evaluate the direction of the relationships. Psychological distress and body image were largely predicted by total stigma, enacted stigma, and internalized stigma. The effect of stigma on psychological distress was mediated through body image. In a serial mediation model, the significance of the pathway of enacted stigma > internalized stigma > body image > psychological distress was confirmed. The serial model in which internalized stigma precedes body image was also supported by the equivalent models. Stigma has been identified as a major source of psychological distress among women with breast cancer. Enacted stigma not only psychologically disturbs the patients but also triggers a chain of other identity transformations (i.e. internalization of stigma and distortion of body image), their ultimate result being a full-blown psychological distress. Both enacted and internalized stigma distorts breast cancer patients' perception of their body image, which in turn renders them psychologically distressed. The serial process of enacted stigma, internalized stigma, and body image plays an important role in perpetuating distress in these patients. To break this chain of psychological consequences and for interventions to have a greater impact on overall well-being of patients, the effect of enacted stigma on distress via the sequence of two mediators needs to be specifically targeted at each stage.

Predictors of Psychological Distress in Women with Endometriosis: The Role of Multimorbidity, Body Image, and Self-Criticism

While large numbers of women report high levels of psychological distress associated with endometriosis, others report levels of distress that are comparable to those of healthy women. Thus, the aim of the current study was to develop an explanatory model for the effect of endometriosis on women’s psychological distress. Furthermore, it sought to further investigate the role of body image, self-criticism, and pain intensity on the psychological distress associated with endometriosis and establish the effect of chronic illness load on the development of this distress. This study comprised a total of 247 women aged 20–49 (M = 31.3, SD = 6.4)—73 suffering from endometriosis only, 62 suffering from endometriosis and an additional chronical illness (ACI), and 112 healthy peers (HP)—who completed the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-Item Scale, the Body Appreciation Scale-2, and the Self-Criticism Sub-Scale. When comparing each endometriosis group to their HP’s, we found that the differences between HP and endometriosis ACI in depression and anxiety were mediated by body image (Betas = 0.17 and 0.09, respectively, p’s < 0.05) and self-criticism (Betas = 0.23 and 0.26, respectively, p’s < 0.05). When comparing endometriosis participants to endometriosis ACI participants, differences in depression were mediated by body image, self-criticism, and pain intensity (Betas = 0.12, 0.13, 0.13 respectively, p’s < 0.05), and the differences in anxiety were mediated by self-criticism and pain intensity (Betas = 0.19, 0.08, respectively, p’s < 0.05). Physicians and other health professionals are advised to detect women with endometriosis ACI who are distressed, and to offer them appropriate intervention.

Cutaneous Toxicities in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy and Targeted Agents––An Observational Clinical Study

BackgroundSystemic chemotherapy and targeted agents are associated with various cutaneous toxicities. Even though cutaneous toxicities are manageable, it often results in treatment discontinuation and worsens the patients’ quality of life. AimThe study aimed to determine the spectrum of cutaneous toxicities in patients receiving systemic chemotherapy and targeted agents for breast cancer patients. Patients and methodsA total of 250 out of 720 patients with breast cancer who developed various cutaneous toxicities to chemotherapeutic or targeted agents were included in the study. ResultsAmong 250 patients, 57 patients were on neoadjuvant chemotherapy, 89 patients were on adjuvant chemotherapy, 68 were on palliative chemotherapy for metastatic breast cancer and 36 were on targeted treatment for metastatic breast cancer. The most frequently affected site was hair (96%), followed by skin (92%), nail (34%), and mucosa (26%). The most common dermatological toxicity noticed in our study involved the hair in the form of chemotherapy induced alopecia (anagen effluvium) in 93.6%, followed by skin toxicity with generalized xerosis in 92% and, nail toxicity in 34%, and mucosal toxicity in 26%. The most common chemotherapeutic agent which caused frequent cutaneous toxicities in our patients was docetaxel followed by paclitaxel, capecitabine, doxorubicin, epirubicine, cyclophosphamide, 5-flurouracil and targeted agents like lapatinib, everolimus, and tamoxifen. ConclusionCutaneous toxicities are common following systemic chemotherapy and targeted agents. Early recognition of cutaneous side effects of these agents and prompt early interventions can reduce the significant morbidity, cosmetic disfigurement, unnecessary treatment interruptions, and psychological distress in women treated for breast cancers.

Depressive symptoms and psychological distress from antenatal to postnatal period in women with high-risk pregnancy: A prospective study during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background:The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on mental disorders in postnatal period remains unknown.Aim:The study aimed to determine the extent to which the COVID-19 pandemic may aggravate depressive symptoms and psychological distress of women with high-risk pregnancy in postnatal period.Methods:This prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on women with complicated pregnancies from antenatal to postnatal period. In the first phase, from December 2019 to January 2020 (before the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic), 122 pregnant women filled in the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and Brief Symptom Inventory 53-items (BSI-53). In the second phase, with the start of the COVID-19 pandemic from February to June, 30% of the participants (41/122) completed three questionnaires: EPDS, BSI-53, and the posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) scale in postpartum period.Results:During the COVID-19 pandemic, from antenatal to postnatal period, the depression score of EPDS, total scores, all the subscales of BSI-53, and global severity index-53 increased in women with high-risk pregnancy. Furthermore, the persistence of antenatal depression occurred in 85.7% of the participants, and the onset of postnatal depression occurred in 80% of them. About 12% of the women also experienced PTSD symptoms during the postnatal period.Conclusion:The COVID-19 pandemic may aggravate the prevalence and persistence of postnatal depression in women with high-risk pregnancy. The study calls for clinical implementation to identify and help women with mental disorders in postnatal period, especially women experiencing complicated pregnancies.

Psychological Distress in Women Living with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: The Role of Illness Perceptions.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is an endocrine and metabolic condition linked to increased risk of anxiety and depression (psychological distress). This study examined the relationship between illness perceptions and psychological distress in women living with PCOS. We used a cross-sectional survey to assess psychological distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) and illness perceptions (Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised) in women living with PCOS in the UK (N=487). Hierarchical multiple linear regression tested the associations between illness perceptions and psychological distress, adjusting for age, years since PCOS diagnosis, education, body mass index, current depression, and current anxiety disorder. In the fully adjusted regression model, illness perceptions explained 18.6% of the variance in psychological distress, F(7,458)=21.0, p<.001. Reporting more symptoms (B=0.226), higher perceived consequences (B=0.204), lower personal control (B=-0.184), and lower illness coherence (B=-0.127) were significantly associated with higher psychological distress (all p<.001). Illness perceptions may play an important role in psychological distress, even after adjusting for relevant demographics and clinical characteristics. Our findings highlight key areas where researchers and clinicians could develop targeted self-management interventions for women with PCOS, focused on altering maladaptive illness perceptions to reduce psychological burden.