Social Support and Mental Health in the Postpartum Period in Times of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: Spanish Multicentre Cohort Study

Maia Brik (), Miguel Sandonis, Elena Rocio Horrillo Murillo, Rogelio Monfort Ortiz, Alexandra Arteaga Fernandez, Maria de Arriba, Sara Fernández, Nuria Iglesias Román, Gemma Parramon-Puig, Anna Suy, María Emilia Dip, Alfredo Perales Marin, Nerea Maiz, Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga and Elena Carreras
Additional contact information
Maia Brik: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Miguel Sandonis: Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Elena Rocio Horrillo Murillo: Obstetrics Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
Rogelio Monfort Ortiz: Obstetrics Department, Hospital Universitario La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Alexandra Arteaga Fernandez: Obstetrics Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
Maria de Arriba: Obstetrics Department, Hospital Universitario La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Sara Fernández: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Nuria Iglesias Román: Obstetrics Department, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, 28041 Madrid, Spain
Gemma Parramon-Puig: Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Anna Suy: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
María Emilia Dip: Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Alfredo Perales Marin: Obstetrics Department, Hospital Universitario La Fe, 46026 Valencia, Spain
Nerea Maiz: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Josep Antoni Ramos-Quiroga: Department of Mental Health, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
Elena Carreras: Maternal-Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics, Hospital Universitari Vall d’Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08035 Barcelona, Spain

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-10

Abstract: Background: To explore the depression and anxiety symptoms in the postpartum period during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and to identify potential risk factors. Methods: A multicentre observational cohort study including 536 women was performed at three hospitals in Spain. The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) Scale, the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (MOS-SSS), and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) were assessed after birth. Depression (EPDS) and anxiety (STAI) symptoms were measured, and the cut-off scores were set at 10 and 13 for EPDS, and at 40 for STAI. Results: Regarding EPDS, 32.3% (95% CI, 28% to 36.5%) of women had a score ≥ 10, and 17.3% (95% CI, 13.9% to 20.7%) had a score ≥ 13. Women with an STAI score ≥ 40 accounted for 46.8% (95% CI, 42.3% to 51.2%). A lower level of social support (MOS-SSS), a fetal malformation diagnosis and a history of depression ( p = 0.000, p = 0.019 and p = 0.043) were independent risk factors for postpartum depression. A lower level of social support and a history of mental health disorders ( p = 0.000, p = 0.003) were independent risk factors for postpartum anxiety. Conclusion: During the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, an increase in symptoms of anxiety and depression were observed during the postpartum period.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; pregnancy; pandemic; social support; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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