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03-06-2023 | Postpartum Depression | Original Article

The impact of postpartum social support on postpartum mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Lauren K. White, Sara L. Kornfield, Megan M. Himes, Markolline Forkpa, Rebecca Waller, Wanjikũ F. M. Njoroge, Ran Barzilay, Barbara H. Chaiyachati, Heather H. Burris, Andrea F. Duncan, Jakob Seidlitz, Julia Parish-Morris, Michal A. Elovitz, Raquel E. Gur

Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health | Issue 4/2023

Abstract

Social support is an influential component of postpartum recovery, adjustment, and bonding, which was disrupted by social distancing recommendations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports on changes in the availability of social support for postpartum women during the pandemic, investigates how those changes may have contributed to postpartum mental health, and probes how specific types of social support buffered against poor postpartum mental health and maternal-infant bonding impairment. Participants were 833 pregnant patients receiving prenatal care in an urban USA setting and using an electronic patient portal to access self-report surveys at two time points, during pregnancy (April–July 2020) and at ~12 weeks postpartum (August 2020–March 2021). Measures included an assessment of COVID-19 pandemic–related change in social support, sources of social support, ratings of emotional and practical support, and postpartum outcomes including depression, anxiety, and maternal-infant bonding. Overall self-reported social support decreased during the pandemic. Decreased social support was associated with an increased risk of postpartum depression, postpartum anxiety, and impaired parent-infant bonding. Among women reporting low practical support, emotional support appeared to protect against clinically significant depressive symptoms and impaired bonding with the infant. Decreases in social support are associated with a risk for poor postpartum mental health outcomes and impaired maternal-infant bonding. Evaluation and promotion of social support are recommended for healthy adjustment and functioning of postpartum women and families.

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Title: The impact of postpartum social support on postpartum mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lauren K. White
Sara L. Kornfield
Megan M. Himes
Markolline Forkpa
Rebecca Waller
Wanjikũ F. M. Njoroge
Ran Barzilay
Barbara H. Chaiyachati
Heather H. Burris
Andrea F. Duncan
Jakob Seidlitz
Julia Parish-Morris
Michal A. Elovitz
Raquel E. Gur
Publication date: 03-06-2023
Publisher: Springer Vienna
Keywords: Postpartum Depression
Postpartum Depression
COVID-19
Anxiety
Published in: Archives of Women's Mental Health / Issue 4/2023
Print ISSN: 1434-1816
Electronic ISSN: 1435-1102
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00737-023-01330-3

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The impact of postpartum social support on postpartum mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic

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