Trajectories of distress from pregnancy to 15-months post-partum during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has particularly burdened pregnant and postpartum women. It remains unclear how distress levels of pregnant and postpartum people have changed (or persisted) as the pandemic continues on and which factors may contribute to these trajectories of distress.

Methods

This longitudinal study included 304 pregnant people, who were followed during pregnancy, 6-weeks, 6-months and 15-months postpartum. At each time point, a latent "distress" factor was estimated using self-reported depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and stress. Reported negative impact of COVID-19 and social support were assessed during pregnancy as risk and protective factors related to distress. Second-order latent growth curve modeling with a piecewise growth function was used

SUBMITTER: Khoury JE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10102331 | biostudies-literature | 2023

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature