PropertyValue
?:abstract
  • BACKGROUND: Anxiety and depression symptoms in pregnancy typically affect between 10-25% 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.
?:creator
?:doi
  • 10.1016/j.jad.2020.07.126
?:doi
?:journal
  • J_Affect_Disord
?:license
  • no-cc
?:pdf_json_files
  • document_parses/pdf_json/950dd33c9529e900a8687c41a277c8fbc987e077.json
?:pmc_json_files
  • document_parses/pmc_json/PMC7395614.xml.json
?:pmcid
?:pmid
?:pmid
  • 32777604.0
?:publication_isRelatedTo_Disease
?:sha_id
?:source
  • Elsevier; Medline; PMC
?:title
  • Elevated depression and anxiety symptoms among pregnant individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic
?:type
?:year
  • 2020-08-01

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