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The Impact of COVID-19 on Anxious and Depressive Symptomatology in the Postpartum Period

Author

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  • Daniela Pereira

    (Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
    Department of Psychiatry, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Brigite Wildenberg

    (Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
    Department of Psychiatry, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Andreia Gaspar

    (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Bissaya Barreto Maternity Hospital, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, 3000-045 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Carolina Cabaços

    (Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
    Department of Psychiatry, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Nuno Madeira

    (Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
    Department of Psychiatry, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • António Macedo

    (Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
    Department of Psychiatry, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal)

  • Ana Telma Pereira

    (Institute of Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3004-504 Coimbra, Portugal
    Department of Psychiatry, Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Praceta Professor Mota Pinto, 3004-561 Coimbra, Portugal)

Abstract

Background: Women in the postpartum period may be particularly vulnerable to the psychological effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on postpartum depression and anxiety levels and the role of the fear of COVID-19 in its development. Methods: Women who delivered at the Bissaya Barreto Maternity Hospital, between 16 March and 16 June 2020 (Group 1: Birth in COVID-19 period, n = 207), recruited in the postpartum period, filled in a set of self-reported validated questionnaires: Perinatal Depression Screening Scale, Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale, Profile of Mood States, Perseverative Thinking Questionnaire, Dysfunctional Beliefs Towards Maternity Scale, and the Fear of COVID-19 Scale. Levels of depressive and anxious symptomatology, negative affect, negative repetitive thinking, and the dysfunctional beliefs towards motherhood of these women were compared with data from samples of previous studies that included women whose delivery had occurred at the same Maternity Hospital before the COVID-19 pandemic period (Group 2: Birth before the COVID-19 period, n = 212). Results: Based on the cutoff points of the screening scales, the prevalence of clinically relevant depressive and anxious symptoms in Group 1 was 40.1% and 36.2%, respectively. Women in Group 1 had significantly higher levels of anxious and depressive symptoms, negative affect, negative repetitive thinking, and dysfunctional beliefs towards motherhood than women in Group 2 ( p < 0.05). Fear of COVID-19 in the postpartum period was a predictor of depressive (ß = 0.262) and anxious (ß = 0.371) symptoms, explaining 6.9% and 13.7% of their variability, respectively ( p < 0.001). Conclusion: During the COVID-19 pandemic, women in the postpartum period present greater depressive and anxious symptomatology, as well as increased risk factors.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniela Pereira & Brigite Wildenberg & Andreia Gaspar & Carolina Cabaços & Nuno Madeira & António Macedo & Ana Telma Pereira, 2022. "The Impact of COVID-19 on Anxious and Depressive Symptomatology in the Postpartum Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:13:p:7833-:d:848232
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Anna Stepowicz & Barbara Wencka & Jan Bieńkiewicz & Wojciech Horzelski & Mariusz Grzesiak, 2020. "Stress and Anxiety Levels in Pregnant and Post-Partum Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-9, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Karolina Juszko & Patryk Szary & Justyna Mazurek & Sebastian Rutkowski & Błażej Cieślik & Joanna Szczepańska-Gieracha & Robert Gajda, 2022. "Long-Term Consequences of COVID-19 Disease Specific to Women: Exploratory Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Ying Zhang & Lijun Chen & Xiaoliu Jiang & Beáta Bőthe, 2022. "Investigating the Associations of ADHD Symptoms, Impulsivity, Physical Exercise, and Problematic Pornography Use in a Chinese Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-15, November.

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