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.
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| Title: | 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. |
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| Authors: | Worrall, Semra (AUTHOR), Pike, Olivia (AUTHOR), Christiansen, Paul (AUTHOR), Jackson, Leanne (AUTHOR), De Pascalis, Leonardo (AUTHOR), Harrold, Joanne A. (AUTHOR), Fallon, Victoria (AUTHOR), Silverio, Sergio A. (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dec2025, Vol. 46 Issue 1, p1-10. 10p. |
| Subjects: | COVID-19 pandemic, Mental health, Mental depression, Psychological factors, Anxiety, Prenatal care, Pregnant women |
| Geographic Terms: | United Kingdom |
| Abstract: | 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Copyright of Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) | |
| Database: | Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection |
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| Abstract: | 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 0167482X |
| DOI: | 10.1080/0167482X.2025.2459619 |
