COVID-19 and Wellbeing During Pregnancy Study
The goal of this research is to understand how the Coronavirus pandemic affects psychological well being and stress during and after pregnancy.
Study Objectives
- Determine if pregnant women are experiencing high levels of mental health difficulties (depression, anxiety, and insomnia) during the COIVD-19 pandemic.
- Examine with COVID-19 related experiences (i.e. solical isolation, economic hardship, relationship difficulties) impact mental health symptoms
- Assess resiliency factors that protect pregnant women from experiencing mental health concerns.
Paticipants
- 302 pregnant people participated in the first wave of the study (between June and July 2020)
- Participants were between 19 and 44 years old
- 24% in the first trimester, 45% in the second trimester, and 31% in the third trimester of pregnancy
Findings
- 57% of participants reported clinically elevated depression, 40% reported significant anxiety, and 15.9% clinical levels of sleep problems
- Pregnant women are experiencing more mental health problems than before the pandemic
- Social isolation, relationship conflict, and financial concerns predicted more mental health problems
- Social support and positive thinking about the pandemic were protective factors against mental health problems