Fear of COVID-19 and Depression in Pregnant Women and New Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Ebru Sönmez Sarı; Elif Odabaşı Aktaş; Hafsa Kübra Işık; Zila Özlem Kırbaş

doi:10.31067/acusaglik.1385829

EN

Fear of COVID-19 and Depression in Pregnant Women and New Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Purpose: The objective of the study was to determine COVID-19 fear and depression in pregnant women and new mothers. Methods: The study sample consisted of pregnant women and new mothers, who gave birth in the last 1 year, aged 18 years or older, living in a province in the Eastern Black Sea region (n = 259). Data werecollected through a personal-information form, COVID-19 Fear Scale, and PHQ-9. Results: Women's COVID-19 Fear Scalescore mean was 15.28±6.42 and their PHQ-9 mean score was 9.27±5.31. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the variables of PHQ-9 (p=0.000), educational background (p=0.029), occupational status (p=0.0015) and socioeconomic status (p=0.012) were statistically significant predictors of COVID-19 fear. All variables were found to explain the variance in COVID-19 Fear Scale scores to 16% (R2= 0.164). Conclusion: The women in this study appeared to have a moderate level of COVID-19 fear. PHQ-9, educational background, occupational status, and socioeconomic status were predictors of women's COVID-19 fear. The pandemic period, which is a public health emergency, affects not only the physical health but also the psychological health of pregnant and post-partum women, a particularly vulnerable group. It is very important for midwives and nurses to effectively screen pregnant and post-partum women, particularly vulnerable group, for symptoms of depression and fear, and to provide them with accurate and up-to-date information to protect and improve their health.

Keywords

Project Number

Bayburt University Scientific Research Projects under Grant number 2022/69002-04

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Public Health (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ebru Sönmez Sarı
0000-0001-7337-4853
Türkiye

Elif Odabaşı Aktaş
0000-0002-3435-7118
Türkiye

Hafsa Kübra Işık ^*
0000-0002-2472-6987
Türkiye

Zila Özlem Kırbaş
0000-0003-4030-5442
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

June 23, 2025

Publication Date

July 1, 2025

Submission Date

November 3, 2023

Acceptance Date

March 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 16 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.31067/acusaglik.1385829

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA87YG66SF

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

EndNote

Sönmez Sarı E, Odabaşı Aktaş E, Işık HK, Kırbaş ZÖ (July 1, 2025) Fear of COVID-19 and Depression in Pregnant Women and New Mothers: A Cross-Sectional Study. Acıbadem Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi 16 3 422–429.