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Year 2025, Volume: 16 Issue: 3, 422 - 429, 01.07.2025

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

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

Abstract

Project Number

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

References

  • 1. World Health Organization (WHO) [Internet]. Available at: https://covid19.who.int/ WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard, Available from: 10.02.2022,
  • 2. Wang C, Pan R, Wan X, Tan Y, Xu L, Ho CS, et al. Immediate psychological responses and associated factors during the initial stage of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic among the general population in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020; 17(5), 1729. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051729
  • 3. Pakpour AH, Griffiths MD. The fear of COVID-19 and its role in preventive behaviors. Journal of concurrent disorders, 2020;2(1),58-63.
  • 4. Fan HSL, Choi EPh, Mphil RWTK, Kwok JYY, Wong JYH., Fong DYT, et al. COVID-19 Related Fear And Depression Of Pregnant Women And New Moters. Public Health Nursing. 2021;1-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13035
  • 5. Sahin BM, Kabakci EN. The experiences of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey: A qualitative study. Women and Birth, 34(2),2021162-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.09.022
  • 6. Durmuş M, Öztürk Z, Şener N, Eren SY. The Relationship between the fear of COVID-19, depression, and spiritual well-being in pregnant women. Journal of Religion and Health, 2022;61(1),798-810. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01448-7
  • 7. Luo Y, Yin K. Management of pregnant women infected with COVID-19. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2020;20(5),513-514. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30191-2
  • 8. Corbett GA, Milne SJ, Hehir MP, Lindow SW, O’connell MP. Health anxiety and behavioural changes of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 2020;249, 96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.04.022
  • 9. Ahorsu DK, Imani V, Lin CY, Timpka T, Broström A, Updegraff JA., Pakpour AH. Associations between fear of COVID-19, mental health, and preventive behaviours across pregnant women and husbands: an actor-partner interdependence modelling. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 2020a;1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00340-x
  • 10. Asai K, Wakashima K, Toda S, Koiwa K. Fear of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among pregnant and infertile women in Japan. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 2021;4,100-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100104
  • 11. Jiang H, Jin L, Qian X, Xiong X, La X, Chen W, Li M. Evidence of accessing antenatal care information via social media platforms supports mental wellbeing in COVID-19 epidemic. Bull World Health Organ, 2020;10. http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.255489
  • 12. Wu Y, Zhang C, Liu H, Duan C, Li C, Fan J, Huang HF. Perinatal depressive and anxiety symptoms of pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in China. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2020;223(2),240-e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.009
  • 13. Hübner T, Wolfgang T, Theis AC, Steber M, Wiedenmann L, Wöckel A. Bartmann C. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and other psychological factors in pregnant women giving birth during the first wave of the pandemic. Reproductive Health, 2022;19(1),1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01493-9
  • 14. Salehi L, Rahimzadeh M, Molaei E, Zaheri H, Esmaelzadeh‐Saeieh S. The relationship among fear and anxiety of COVID‐19, pregnancy experience, and mental health disorder in pregnant women: A structural equation model. Brain and behavior, 2020;10(11),e01835. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1835
  • 15. Ahorsu DK, Lin CY, Imani V, Saffari M, Griffiths MD, Pakpour AH. The fear of COVID-19 scale: development and initial validation. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. 2020b. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00270-8
  • 16. Bakioglu F, Korkmaz O, Ercan H. Fear of COVID-19 and positivity: Mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty, depression, anxiety, and stress. International journal of mental health and addiction, 2021;19(6),2369-2382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00331-y
  • 17. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ‐9: Validity ofa brief depression severity measure.Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2001;16(9),606–613. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x
  • 18. Sari YE, Kokoglu B, Balcioglu H, Bilge U, Colak E, Unluoglu I. Turkish reliability of the patient health questionnaire-9. Biomedical Research-India, 2016;27,460-462.
  • 19. O'Hara MW, Wisner KL. 2014. Perinatal mental illness: definition, description and aetiology. Best practice & research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2014;28(1),3–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2013.09.002
  • 20. Hahn Holbrook J, Cornwell Hinrichs T, Anaya I. Economic and Health Predictors of National Postpartum Depression Prevalence: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-Regression of 291 Studies from 56 Countries. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2018;8,248. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00248
  • 21. Ahmad M, Vismara L. The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Women's Mental Health during Pregnancy: A Rapid Evidence Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and public health, 2021;18(13), 7112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137112
  • 22. Chen Q, Li W, Xiong J, Zheng X. Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Postpartum Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022;19(4),2219. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042219
  • 23. Liu CH, Erdei C, Mittal L. Risk factors for depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms in perinatal women during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychiatry Research, 2021;295,113552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113552
  • 24. Berthelot N, Lemieux R, Garon‐Bissonnette J, Drouin‐Maziade C, Martel É. Maziade M. Uptrend in distress and psychiatric symptomatology in pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 2020;99(7),848-855. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13925
  • 25. Fallon V, Davies SM, Silverio SA, Jackson L, De Pascalis L, Harrold JA.Psychosocial experiences of postnatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic. A UK-wide study of prevalence rates and risk factors for clinically relevant depression and anxiety. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2021;136,157–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.01.048
  • 26. Mappa I, Distefano FA, Rizzo G. Effects of coronavirus 19 pandemic on maternal anxiety during pregnancy: a prospectic observational study. Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 2020;48(6),545-550. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2020-0182
  • 27. Cerda A A, García LY. Factors explaining the fear of being infected with COVID‐19. Health Expectations, 2022; 25(2), 506-512. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042219
  • 28. Expectations, 2022; 25(2), 506-512. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042219
  • 29. Doshi D, Karunakar P, Sukhabogi JR, Prasanna JS, Mahajan SV.Assessing coronavirus fear in Indian population using the fear of COVID-19 scale. International journal of mental health and addiction, 2021;19(6),2383-2391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00332-x
  • 30. Zhang Y, Ma ZF. Psychological responses and lifestyle changes among pregnant women with respect to the early stages of COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2021;67(4),344-350. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020952116

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

Year 2025, Volume: 16 Issue: 3, 422 - 429, 01.07.2025

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

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

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

Depression Fear of COVID-19 PHQ-9 Postpartum Pregnant

Project Number

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

References

  • 1. World Health Organization (WHO) [Internet]. Available at: https://covid19.who.int/ WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard, Available from: 10.02.2022,
  • 2. Wang C, Pan R, Wan X, Tan Y, Xu L, Ho CS, et al. Immediate psychological responses and associated factors during the initial stage of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) epidemic among the general population in China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020; 17(5), 1729. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17051729
  • 3. Pakpour AH, Griffiths MD. The fear of COVID-19 and its role in preventive behaviors. Journal of concurrent disorders, 2020;2(1),58-63.
  • 4. Fan HSL, Choi EPh, Mphil RWTK, Kwok JYY, Wong JYH., Fong DYT, et al. COVID-19 Related Fear And Depression Of Pregnant Women And New Moters. Public Health Nursing. 2021;1-10. https://doi.org/10.1111/phn.13035
  • 5. Sahin BM, Kabakci EN. The experiences of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey: A qualitative study. Women and Birth, 34(2),2021162-169. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2020.09.022
  • 6. Durmuş M, Öztürk Z, Şener N, Eren SY. The Relationship between the fear of COVID-19, depression, and spiritual well-being in pregnant women. Journal of Religion and Health, 2022;61(1),798-810. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10943-021-01448-7
  • 7. Luo Y, Yin K. Management of pregnant women infected with COVID-19. The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2020;20(5),513-514. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1473-3099(20)30191-2
  • 8. Corbett GA, Milne SJ, Hehir MP, Lindow SW, O’connell MP. Health anxiety and behavioural changes of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic. European journal of obstetrics, gynecology, and reproductive biology, 2020;249, 96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejogrb.2020.04.022
  • 9. Ahorsu DK, Imani V, Lin CY, Timpka T, Broström A, Updegraff JA., Pakpour AH. Associations between fear of COVID-19, mental health, and preventive behaviours across pregnant women and husbands: an actor-partner interdependence modelling. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, 2020a;1-15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00340-x
  • 10. Asai K, Wakashima K, Toda S, Koiwa K. Fear of novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) among pregnant and infertile women in Japan. Journal of Affective Disorders Reports, 2021;4,100-104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadr.2021.100104
  • 11. Jiang H, Jin L, Qian X, Xiong X, La X, Chen W, Li M. Evidence of accessing antenatal care information via social media platforms supports mental wellbeing in COVID-19 epidemic. Bull World Health Organ, 2020;10. http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.20.255489
  • 12. Wu Y, Zhang C, Liu H, Duan C, Li C, Fan J, Huang HF. Perinatal depressive and anxiety symptoms of pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak in China. American journal of obstetrics and gynecology, 2020;223(2),240-e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajog.2020.05.009
  • 13. Hübner T, Wolfgang T, Theis AC, Steber M, Wiedenmann L, Wöckel A. Bartmann C. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on stress and other psychological factors in pregnant women giving birth during the first wave of the pandemic. Reproductive Health, 2022;19(1),1-17. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-022-01493-9
  • 14. Salehi L, Rahimzadeh M, Molaei E, Zaheri H, Esmaelzadeh‐Saeieh S. The relationship among fear and anxiety of COVID‐19, pregnancy experience, and mental health disorder in pregnant women: A structural equation model. Brain and behavior, 2020;10(11),e01835. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1835
  • 15. Ahorsu DK, Lin CY, Imani V, Saffari M, Griffiths MD, Pakpour AH. The fear of COVID-19 scale: development and initial validation. International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction. 2020b. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00270-8
  • 16. Bakioglu F, Korkmaz O, Ercan H. Fear of COVID-19 and positivity: Mediating role of intolerance of uncertainty, depression, anxiety, and stress. International journal of mental health and addiction, 2021;19(6),2369-2382. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00331-y
  • 17. Kroenke K, Spitzer RL, Williams JB. The PHQ‐9: Validity ofa brief depression severity measure.Journal of General Internal Medicine, 2001;16(9),606–613. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2001.016009606.x
  • 18. Sari YE, Kokoglu B, Balcioglu H, Bilge U, Colak E, Unluoglu I. Turkish reliability of the patient health questionnaire-9. Biomedical Research-India, 2016;27,460-462.
  • 19. O'Hara MW, Wisner KL. 2014. Perinatal mental illness: definition, description and aetiology. Best practice & research. Clinical Obstetrics & Gynaecology, 2014;28(1),3–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2013.09.002
  • 20. Hahn Holbrook J, Cornwell Hinrichs T, Anaya I. Economic and Health Predictors of National Postpartum Depression Prevalence: A Systematic Review, Meta-analysis, and Meta-Regression of 291 Studies from 56 Countries. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 2018;8,248. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2017.00248
  • 21. Ahmad M, Vismara L. The Psychological Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Women's Mental Health during Pregnancy: A Rapid Evidence Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and public health, 2021;18(13), 7112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18137112
  • 22. Chen Q, Li W, Xiong J, Zheng X. Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Postpartum Depression during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Literature Review and Meta-Analysis. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2022;19(4),2219. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042219
  • 23. Liu CH, Erdei C, Mittal L. Risk factors for depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms in perinatal women during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Psychiatry Research, 2021;295,113552. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psychres.2020.113552
  • 24. Berthelot N, Lemieux R, Garon‐Bissonnette J, Drouin‐Maziade C, Martel É. Maziade M. Uptrend in distress and psychiatric symptomatology in pregnant women during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Acta obstetricia et gynecologica Scandinavica, 2020;99(7),848-855. https://doi.org/10.1111/aogs.13925
  • 25. Fallon V, Davies SM, Silverio SA, Jackson L, De Pascalis L, Harrold JA.Psychosocial experiences of postnatal women during the COVID-19 pandemic. A UK-wide study of prevalence rates and risk factors for clinically relevant depression and anxiety. Journal of Psychiatric Research, 2021;136,157–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2021.01.048
  • 26. Mappa I, Distefano FA, Rizzo G. Effects of coronavirus 19 pandemic on maternal anxiety during pregnancy: a prospectic observational study. Journal of Perinatal Medicine, 2020;48(6),545-550. https://doi.org/10.1515/jpm-2020-0182
  • 27. Cerda A A, García LY. Factors explaining the fear of being infected with COVID‐19. Health Expectations, 2022; 25(2), 506-512. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042219
  • 28. Expectations, 2022; 25(2), 506-512. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19042219
  • 29. Doshi D, Karunakar P, Sukhabogi JR, Prasanna JS, Mahajan SV.Assessing coronavirus fear in Indian population using the fear of COVID-19 scale. International journal of mental health and addiction, 2021;19(6),2383-2391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11469-020-00332-x
  • 30. Zhang Y, Ma ZF. Psychological responses and lifestyle changes among pregnant women with respect to the early stages of COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Social Psychiatry, 2021;67(4),344-350. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764020952116
There are 30 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects Public Health (Other)
Journal Section Research Articles
Authors

Ebru Sönmez Sarı 0000-0001-7337-4853

Elif Odabaşı Aktaş 0000-0002-3435-7118

Hafsa Kübra Işık 0000-0002-2472-6987

Zila Özlem Kırbaş 0000-0003-4030-5442

Project Number Bayburt University Scientific Research Projects under Grant number 2022/69002-04
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 2025Volume: 16 Issue: 3

Cite

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.
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