Ιnvestigating the Psychiatric Burden of Women, Who Have Recently Given Birth, During the Period of the Covid-19 Pandemic and the Correlation with their Quality of Life

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the psychiatric burden of women who recently gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic and its correlation with their quality of life. The study included 107 women with an average age of 31.4 years, from all socioeconomic classes. Data was collected using a questionnaire consisting of three parts, covering demographic characteristics, COVID-19 related questions, and two scales: the WHOQOL-BREF scale (30 questions) and the MSPSS questionnaire (12 questions). Results showed that COVID-19 restrictions negatively affected 77.6% of women during the postpartum period and 75.7% felt lonely. Women who did not have visitation during their postpartum hospital stay, who were negatively affected due to COVID-19 restrictions, and who were sick during childbirth had worse physical and mental health. Quality of life was related to demographics, with women who are not working and have 2 or 3 children having worse quality of life was related to demographics, with women who are not working and have 2 or 3 children having worse quality of life. Social support was found to be crucial, with the more support women received, the better their overall quality of life. The study highlights the need for health professionals to provide additional support to women during the postpartum period, particularly during the pandemic.