Alteration in the psychologic status and family environment of pregnant women before and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Xie, Miaomiao; Wang, Xiaoyun; Zhang, Jingjing; Wang, Yi

OBJECTIVE To compare mental distress and Covid-19-related family environment changes among pregnant women before and during the pandemic. METHODS In a survey-based study in Lishui City, Zhejiang, China, pregnant women were recruited before (March to December, 2019; n=2657) and during (January to August, 2020; n=689) the Covid-19 pandemic. They completed the Symptom Check List-90 Revised (SCL90-R) questionnaire and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and were asked about their families via the Family Environment Scale (FES). RESULTS Higher SCL90-R scores of somatization (P=0.003), depression (P=0.043), anxiety (P=0.041), hostility (P=0.009), and others (P=0.025) were reported by women during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sleep disorder also occurred more frequently among pregnant women during the pandemic (P=0.002). Social environmental characteristics of families showed impaired family cohesion, and increased levels of conflict and independence during the pandemic (all P<0.05). The FES score for family cohesion was negatively related with obsessive-compulsive, depression, anxiety, and hostility symptoms, whereas that for conflict was positively related with these symptoms (all P<0.001). CONCLUSION The mental health, sleep, and family environment of pregnant women was impaired during the Covid-19 pandemic. Potential protective factors including increased social support might help to mitigate long-lasting negative consequences.