Elevated depression and anxiety symptoms among pregnant individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic

JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS

卷:277

Article

Lebel, Catherine^1,2,3  MacKinnon, Anna^2,4  Bagshawe, Mercedes^1,2,3  Tomfohr-Madsen, Lianne^2,4,5  Giesbrecht, Gerald^2,4,5 

[1] Univ Calgary, Dept Radiol, Calgary, AB, Canada

[2] Univ Calgary, Alberta Childrens Hosp, Res Inst, 28 Oki Dr, Calgary, AB T3B 6A8, Canada

[3] Univ Calgary, Hotchkiss Brain Inst, Calgary, AB, Canada

[4] Univ Calgary, Dept Psychol, Calgary, AB, Canada

[5] Univ Calgary, Dept Pediat, Calgary, AB, Canada

关键词: Anxiety;    COVID-19;    Depression;    Pregnancy;    Stress;    Physical Activity;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.126

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

Background: Anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnancy typically affect between 10 and 25% of pregnant individuals. Elevated symptoms of depression and anxiety are associated with increased risk of preterm birth, postpartum depression, and behavioural difficulties in children. The current COVID-19 pandemic is a unique stressor with potentially wide-ranging consequences for pregnancy and beyond. Methods: We assessed symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant individuals during the current COVID-19 pandemic and determined factors that were associated with psychological distress. 1987 pregnant participants in Canada were surveyed in April 2020. The assessment included questions about COVID-19-related stress and standardized measures of depression, anxiety, pregnancy-related anxiety, and social support. Results: We found substantially elevated anxiety and depression symptoms compared to similar pre-pandemic pregnancy cohorts, with 37% reporting clinically relevant symptoms of depression and 57% reporting clinically relevant symptoms of anxiety. Higher symptoms of depression and anxiety were associated with more concern about threats of COVID-19 to the life of the mother and baby, as well as concerns about not getting the necessary prenatal care, relationship strain, and social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Higher levels of perceived social support and support effectiveness, as well as more physical activity, were associated with lower psychological symptoms. Conclusion: This study shows concerningly elevated symptoms of anxiety and depression among pregnant individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic, that may have long-term impacts on their children. Potential protective factors include increased social support and exercise, as these were associated with lower symptoms and thus may help mitigate long-term negative outcomes.

【 授权许可】

Free