Title Factors Associated with Post-Traumatic Stress Symptoms in Pregnant and Postpartum Women
Authors MOTRICO MARTINEZ, EMMA, Galan-Luque, Teresa , RODRÍGUEZ DOMÍNGUEZ, MARÍA DEL CARMEN, GÓMEZ GÓMEZ, IRENE, DOMÍNGUEZ SALAS, SARA
External publication No
Means J. Women's Health
Scope Article
Nature Científica
JCR Quartile 1
SJR Quartile 1
Web https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85159730605&doi=10.1089%2fjwh.2022.0400&partnerID=40&md5=707b014c7ae42493aae97416718e8af6
Publication date 01/05/2023
ISI 000932147500001
Scopus Id 2-s2.0-85159730605
DOI 10.1089/jwh.2022.0400
Abstract Introduction: Evidence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic during the perinatal period and the associated risk factors are still limited. Thus, we aimed to investigate the PTSD symptoms associated with the COVID-19 pandemic in a large sample of both pregnant and postpartum women.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 3319 pregnant and up to 6-month postpartum women from Spain. An online survey was completed between June 2020 and January 2021. The assessment included measures of PTSD symptoms associated with COVID-19 (evaluated with 10 questions from the PTSD checklist for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition), pandemic-related concerns and health background (assessed by the Coronavirus Perinatal Experiences-Impact Survey), and demographic characteristics.Results: We found that >40% of women suffered from symptoms of PTSD associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Difficulty concentrating and irritability were the most common symptoms, showing marked alterations in arousal and reactivity associated with the traumatic event. Being younger, suffering from pandemic concerns and distress, changes due to the pandemic and previous mental health problems were risk factors associated with PTSD symptoms in perinatal women. In addition, whereas being an immigrant (non-Spanish) was a risk factor for pregnant women, having other children and financial problems were risk factors for postpartum women. COVID-19 infection did not appear to be a risk factor for symptoms of PTSD in perinatal women.Conclusions: The increased risk of PTSD in pregnant and postpartum women highlights the importance of early detection and treatment of PTSD for pregnant and postnatal women, both during and beyond the pandemic.
Keywords post-traumatic stress disorder; pregnancy; postpartum; mental health
Universidad Loyola members

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