Prenatal anxiety and depression : the effects of social support during Covid-19 in Iceland

Pregnancy can be a vulnerable time for an increased likelihood of common mental health problems. Previous studies indicate that social support is an important factor for prenatal mental health. The aim of this study was twofold; firstly, to examine the prevalence of prenatal anxiety and depression in Icelandic women during Covid-19, and secondly to examine the association between symptoms of prenatal anxiety and depression and demographic variables on the one hand and different types of social support on the other hand. Pregnant women (N = 618) completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), the General Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) while attending prenatal care in Iceland in the spring of 2021. They also answered questions about demographic variables such as education, employment, relationship status, number of children and questions about social support online. The results indicated that Covid-19 did not affect the prevalence of prenatal anxiety and depression. Decreased social support and low education were associated with a higher score on both EPDS and GAD-7. Unemployment was associated with a higher score on EPDS. Relationship status, number of children, and online social support did not have a relationship with prenatal depression or anxiety symptoms. These findings underline the importance of good social support for pregnant women, as it has a clear association with lower depression and anxiety symptoms. Keywords: pregnancy, prenatal depression, prenatal anxiety, social support, covid19

Author dc:creator

• Kristín Margrét Norðfjörð 1996-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Sálfræði
• Meðganga
• Þunglyndi
• Kvíði
• Félagsleg aðstoð
• COVID-19
• Psychology
• Pregnancy
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Social support

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/42113

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/42113