Relationship between social support and perinatal depression during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Aims/Background

This research aimed to identify the sources of social support and its relationship with perinatal depression (PPD) during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Design/Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional study with a sample of 3,356 women during perinatal period living in Spain. We used five items from the Spanish version of the Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences – Impact Survey to assess the impact of COVID-19 on social support and, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale was used to assess depressive symptomatology.

Results

The results obtained identified a possible relationship between seeking in-person support (OR = 0.51; 0.67, during pregnancy and after delivery respectively) and degree of feeling social support (OR = 0.77; 0.77) during the COVID-19 pandemic with a lower prevalence of depression. Otherwise, requiring the help of a mental health professional (OR = 2.92; 2.41) and weeks of confinement (OR = 1.03; 1.01) appeared to be associated with a higher prevalence of depression. During pregnancy, a possible association was found between the degree of concern about future changes in support and involvement of family and friends (OR = 1.75) with a higher prevalence of depression. On the other hand, in the postpartum period, there seems to be a relationship between seeking social support through social media (OR = 1.32) with a higher prevalence of depression and receiving support from friends (OR = 0.70) and health professionals (OR = 0.53) with a lower prevalence of depression.

Conclusion

These results highlighted the importance of protecting perinatal mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic by protecting and developing social support networks.

KEYWORDS:

• COVID-19
• perinatal depression
• postpartum depression
• social support
• pregnancy

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authorship contributions

Have contributed to the conception, shaping, and writing the manuscript. and have contributed to the revision of the manuscript.

‘Katina Kovacheva as the corresponding author, on behalf of the other signatories, guarantees the accuracy, transparency, and honesty of the data and information contained in the study; that no relevant information has been omitted; and that all discrepancies between authors/authors have been adequately resolved and described’.

The lead author (guarantor responsible for the manuscript) affirms that this manuscript is an honest, accurate, and transparent report of the study submitted to Women and Birth, that no important aspects of the study have been omitted, and that discrepancies in the study as intended (and, if relevant, recorded) have been explained.

Additional information

Funding

This project is part of the ‘COST Action Research Network in Peripartum Depression’ (Riseup-PPD CA 18138).