Victoria Fallon1, Siân M Davies2, Sergio A Silverio3, Leanne Jackson4, Leonardo De Pascalis4, Joanne A Harrold4. 1. Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, United Kingdom. Electronic address: V.Fallon@liverpool.ac.uk. 2. Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, United Kingdom; Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, The University of Manchester, Jean McFarlane Building, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PY, United Kingdom. 3. Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, United Kingdom; Department of Women & Children's Health, School of Life Course Sciences, King's College London, St. Thomas' Hospital, Westminster Bridge Road, Lambeth, London, SE1 7EH, United Kingdom; Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, Faculty of Population Health Sciences, University College London, Medical School Building, Huntley Street, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 6AU, United Kingdom. 4. Department of Psychology, Institute of Population Health, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, Merseyside, L69 7ZA, United Kingdom.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: When the vulnerabilities of the postnatal period are combined with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, psychosocial outcomes are likely to be affected. Specifically, we aim to: a) explore the psychosocial experiences of women in the early postnatal period; b) describe prevalence rates of clinically relevant maternal anxiety and depression; and c) explore whether psychosocial change occurring as a result of COVID-19 is predictive of clinically relevant maternal anxiety and depression. METHODS: A sample of UK mothers (N = 614) with infants aged between birth and twelve weeks were recruited via convenience sampling. A cross-sectional survey design was utilised which comprised demographics, COVID-19 specific questions, and a battery of validated psychosocial measures, including the EPDS and STAI-S which were used to collect prevalence rates of clinically relevant depression and anxiety respectively. Data collection coincided with the UK government's initial mandated "lockdown" restrictions and the introduction of social distancing measures in 2020. FINDINGS: Descriptive findings from the overall sample indicate that a high percentage of mothers self-reported psychological and social changes as a result of the introduction of social distancing measures. For women who reported the presence of psychosocial change, these changes were perceived negatively. Whilst seventy women (11.4%) reported a current clinical diagnosis of depression, two hundred and sixty-four women (43%) reported a score of ≥13 on the EPDS, indicating clinically relevant depression. Whilst one hundred and thirteen women (18.4%) reported a current clinical diagnosis of anxiety, three hundred and seventy-three women (61%) reported a score of ≥40 on STAI-S, indicating clinically relevant anxiety. After accounting for current clinical diagnoses of depression or anxiety, and demographic factors known to influence mental health, only perceived psychological change occurring as a result of the introduction of social distancing measures predicted unique variance in the risk of clinically relevant maternal depression (30%) and anxiety (33%). INTERPRETATION: To our knowledge, this is the first national study to examine the psychosocial experiences of postnatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Prevalence rates of clinically relevant maternal depression and anxiety were extremely high when compared to both self-reported current diagnoses of depression and anxiety, and pre-pandemic prevalence studies. Perceived psychological changes occurring as a result of the introduction of social distancing measures predicted unique variance in the risk for clinically relevant maternal depression and anxiety. This study provides vital information for clinicians, funders, policy makers, and researchers to inform the immediate next steps in perinatal care, policy, and research during COVID-19 and future health crises.
BACKGROUND: When the vulnerabilities of the postnatal period are combined with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, psychosocial outcomes are likely to be affected. Specifically, we aim to: a) explore the psychosocial experiences of women in the early postnatal period; b) describe prevalence rates of clinically relevant maternal anxiety and depression; and c) explore whether psychosocial change occurring as a result of COVID-19 is predictive of clinically relevant maternal anxiety and depression. METHODS: A sample of UK mothers (N = 614) with infants aged between birth and twelve weeks were recruited via convenience sampling. A cross-sectional survey design was utilised which comprised demographics, COVID-19 specific questions, and a battery of validated psychosocial measures, including the EPDS and STAI-S which were used to collect prevalence rates of clinically relevant depression and anxiety respectively. Data collection coincided with the UK government's initial mandated "lockdown" restrictions and the introduction of social distancing measures in 2020. FINDINGS: Descriptive findings from the overall sample indicate that a high percentage of mothers self-reported psychological and social changes as a result of the introduction of social distancing measures. For women who reported the presence of psychosocial change, these changes were perceived negatively. Whilst seventy women (11.4%) reported a current clinical diagnosis of depression, two hundred and sixty-four women (43%) reported a score of ≥13 on the EPDS, indicating clinically relevant depression. Whilst one hundred and thirteen women (18.4%) reported a current clinical diagnosis of anxiety, three hundred and seventy-three women (61%) reported a score of ≥40 on STAI-S, indicating clinically relevant anxiety. After accounting for current clinical diagnoses of depression or anxiety, and demographic factors known to influence mental health, only perceived psychological change occurring as a result of the introduction of social distancing measures predicted unique variance in the risk of clinically relevant maternal depression (30%) and anxiety (33%). INTERPRETATION: To our knowledge, this is the first national study to examine the psychosocial experiences of postnatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic in the UK. Prevalence rates of clinically relevant maternal depression and anxiety were extremely high when compared to both self-reported current diagnoses of depression and anxiety, and pre-pandemic prevalence studies. Perceived psychological changes occurring as a result of the introduction of social distancing measures predicted unique variance in the risk for clinically relevant maternal depression and anxiety. This study provides vital information for clinicians, funders, policy makers, and researchers to inform the immediate next steps in perinatal care, policy, and research during COVID-19 and future health crises.
Authors: Heba H Hijazi; Mohammad S Alyahya; Rabah M Al Abdi; Main N Alolayyan; Amer M Sindiani; Liqaa A Raffee; Wegdan A Baniissa; Amina M Al Marzouqi Journal: Int J Womens Health Date: 2021-10-21
Authors: Laura Bridle; Laura Walton; Tessa van der Vord; Olawunmi Adebayo; Suzy Hall; Emma Finlayson; Abigail Easter; Sergio A Silverio Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-04 Impact factor: 3.390