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Fear of Coronavirus, Stress and Fear of Childbirth in Polish Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Author

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  • Joanna Dymecka

    (Department of Health Psychology and Quality of Life, Institute of Psychology, Opole University, 45-040 Opole, Poland)

  • Rafał Gerymski

    (Department of Health Psychology and Quality of Life, Institute of Psychology, Opole University, 45-040 Opole, Poland)

  • Adrianna Iszczuk

    (Faculty of Health Sciences, Opole University, 45-040 Opole, Poland)

  • Mariola Bidzan

    (Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Institute of Psychology, University of Gdansk, 80-309 Gdansk, Poland)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic is the largest pandemic of an aggressive coronavirus in the human population in the 21st century. The pandemic may have a negative emotional impact on pregnant women, causing fear and stress. Negative feelings during pregnancy later affect fear of childbirth. Our study aimed to determine the relationship between fear of COVID-19, stress and fear of childbirth. We assume that fear of COVID-19 will be a mediator of the relationship between perceived stress and fear of childbirth. A total of 262 Polish pregnant women participated in this study. Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FOC-6) and Labour Anxiety Questionnaire (KLP II) were used in the study. There was a statistically significant, moderate, and positive relationship between perceived stress, fear of COVID-19, and fear of childbirth. Fear of COVID-19 was a statistically significant mediator in the relationship between perceived stress and fear of childbirth. The COVID-19 epidemic may have a negative emotional impact on pregnant women, causing fear, stress and increased fear of childbirth. Childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic is perceived by women as a threat to their well-being and health. Therefore, it is especially important to support a woman in the perinatal period and to enable her to give birth to a child.

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Dymecka & Rafał Gerymski & Adrianna Iszczuk & Mariola Bidzan, 2021. "Fear of Coronavirus, Stress and Fear of Childbirth in Polish Pregnant Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(24), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:24:p:13111-:d:700681
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna Zdolska-Wawrzkiewicz & Mariola Bidzan & Magdalena Chrzan-Dętkoś & Daria Pizuńska, 2019. "The Dynamics of Becoming a Mother during Pregnancy and After Childbirth," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(1), pages 1-11, December.
    2. Karolina Lutkiewicz & Łucja Bieleninik & Mariusz Cieślak & Mariola Bidzan, 2020. "Maternal–Infant Bonding and Its Relationships with Maternal Depressive Symptoms, Stress and Anxiety in the Early Postpartum Period in a Polish Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(15), pages 1-12, July.
    3. Chongyu Yue & Cuiping Liu & Jing Wang & Meng Zhang & Hongjing Wu & Chunrong Li & Xiuling Yang, 2021. "Association between social support and anxiety among pregnant women in the third trimester during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic in Qingdao, China: The mediating effect of risk perce," International Journal of Social Psychiatry, , vol. 67(2), pages 120-127, March.
    4. Francesco Di Gennaro & Damiano Pizzol & Claudia Marotta & Mario Antunes & Vincenzo Racalbuto & Nicola Veronese & Lee Smith, 2020. "Coronavirus Diseases (COVID-19) Current Status and Future Perspectives: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(8), pages 1-11, April.
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    1. Daria Kołomańska-Bogucka & Agnieszka Micek & Agnieszka I. Mazur-Bialy, 2022. "The COVID-19 Pandemic and Levels of Physical Activity in the Last Trimester, Life Satisfaction and Perceived Stress in Late Pregnancy and in the Early Puerperium," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-17, March.
    2. Katarzyna Leźnicka & Maciej Pawlak & Agata Gasiorowska & Aleksandra Jażdżewska & Dominika Wilczyńska & Paulina Godlewska & Anna Lubkowska & Monika Chudecka & Agnieszka Maciejewska-Skrendo & Rita Santo, 2022. "Individual Characteristics and Pain Sensitivity during Pregnancy—A Cross-Sectional Study in Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Women," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, October.

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