Published in:
29-06-2023 | Anxiety | Short Communication
Changes and predictors of maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors:
Nicole Racine, André Plamondon, Brae Anne McArthur, Erin Hetherington, Sheila McDonald, Sarah Edwards, Suzanne Tough, Sheri Madigan
Published in:
Archives of Women's Mental Health
|
Issue 4/2023
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Abstract
Longitudinal changes in maternal depressive and anxiety symptoms and predictors of symptom variation among a group of middle-to-upper income Canadian women (n = 2152) were examined prior to the pandemic (2017–2019) and at three pandemic timepoints (May–July 2020, March–April 2021, November–December 2021). Mean maternal depression and anxiety scores were elevated throughout the pandemic. Pre-pandemic depressive symptoms were associated with greater increases in depressive symptoms. Coping and relationship quality were protective factors. Supporting the development of coping strategies may mitigate mental health concerns among mothers.