Psychosocial experiences of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic: a UK-wide study of prevalence rates and risk factors for clinically relevant depression and anxiety.

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 8308648 Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1743-8942 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 0167482X NLM ISO Abbreviation: J Psychosom Obstet Gynaecol Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: Sept. 2015- : Abingdon, Oxon, UK : Taylor & Francis
Original Publication: Utrecht, the Netherlands : Bohn, Scheltema & Holkema, [1982-

COVID-19*/psychology ; COVID-19*/prevention & control ; Anxiety*/epidemiology ; Anxiety*/psychology ; Depression*/epidemiology ; Depression*/psychology ; Pregnant People*/psychology ; Pregnancy Complications*/epidemiology ; Pregnancy Complications*/psychology; Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; United Kingdom/epidemiology ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Prevalence ; Young Adult ; SARS-CoV-2

Purpose: Whilst the antenatal period is well established as a period of increased vulnerability to mental health difficulties, restrictions resulting from COVID-19 lockdown in the UK are likely to have negatively affected psychosocial outcomes in these women.
Materials and Methods: This study aimed to describe prevalence rates of clinically relevant antenatal anxiety and depression, and explore whether psychosocial changes as a result of the pandemic were predictive of clinically relevant anxiety and depression. Antenatal women ( N  = 684) completed an online survey of psychosocial measures during the UK government's initial lockdown restrictions.
Results: Descriptive statistics indicate women experienced high levels of anxiety and depression and that changes resulting from restrictions were perceived negatively. Whilst 11.7% of women reported a current, clinical diagnosis of depression, 47.8% reported a score of ≥13 on the EPDS, indicating clinically relevant depression. Similarly, 18.7% of women reported a current, clinical diagnosis of anxiety, but 68.1% scored ≥40 on the STAI, indicating clinically relevant anxiety. After controlling for known demographic risk factors, only psychosocial change because of COVID-19 restrictions predicted clinically relevant anxiety (28%) and depression (27%).
Conclusions: This study highlights the importance of considering antenatal women as a high-priority group, and ensuring antenatal care remains accessible and uninterrupted in any future crises.

Keywords: Maternal mental health; pandemic; prenatal anxiety; prenatal depression; psychosocial experiences

Date Created: 20250211 Date Completed: 20250507 Latest Revision: 20250507

20250507

10.1080/0167482X.2025.2459619

39932229