Early Postpartum Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Resilience Development among Danish First-Time Mothers before and during First-Wave COVID-19 Pandemic

On 11 March 2020, a lockdown to limit the spread of COVID-19 was implemented in Denmark. The pandemic and the lockdown might have caused stress, depression, and anxiety in new mothers. Individuals with high resilience to stress may have been less affected. This study aimed to investigate if changes in perceived stress, anxiety, depression, and resilience from the second trimester until two months postpartum were different before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Denmark in spring 2020. Pregnant women enrolled in an ongoing feasibility study completed an online questionnaire measuring perceived stress, depression, anxiety, and resilience in the second trimester and two months postpartum. Changes in scores between women completing the two-month postpartum questionnaire before (n = 26) or during (n = 47) the COVID-19 pandemic were calculated. No statistically significant differences in changes from baseline to follow-up between pre- and during-pandemic groups in Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale (DASS), or the Connor–Davidson Resilience Scale (CD-RISC) were found. Adjusted differences in group means were as follows: PSS: 0.70 (CI—2.45; 3.85); DASS Stress: 0.76 (CI—3.59; 2.08); DASS Anxiety: 0.47 (CI—0.84; 1.77); DASS Depression: 0.88 (CI—0.95; 2.71); and CD-RISC: 1.19 (CI—3.16; 5.54). In conclusion, we did not find significant differences in the development of stress, depression, anxiety, or resilience before or during the Danish COVID-19 pandemic in spring 2020.

Trends of Perinatal Stress, Anxiety, and Depression and Their Prediction on Postpartum Depression

Perinatal stress, anxiety, and depression impacts not only women but also their child(ren). The purpose of this longitudinal study is to explore trends of stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms from pregnancy to postpartum and understand predictions of stress and anxiety on postpartum depression. One-hundred-fifty-six women at 23–28 weeks gestation (T1), 147 at 32–36 weeks gestation (T2), 129 at over 36 weeks gestation (T3), and 83 at postpartum (T4) completed study surveys. The Perceived Stress Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression scale, and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used to measure stress, depressive symptoms, and anxiety. Descriptive statistics, Pearson and Spearman’s correlation, and Generalized Estimating Equation were applied to analyze the data. Results showed that levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms increased from 24 weeks gestation to postpartum, whereas stress levels decreased during pregnancy but increased in postpartum. Over half of women experienced anxiety symptoms, especially during late pregnancy and postpartum. Stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms were inter-correlated. Notably, women at late pregnancy and postpartum were prone to stress, anxiety, and depression. Prenatal anxiety could predict postpartum depressive symptoms. Active assessment and management of stress, anxiety, and depression is needed and should begin from early pregnancy and continue until postpartum.

POLA KOMUNIKASI PASANGAN SUAMI ISTRI DALAM TEKANAN PASCA MELAHIRKAN DI KOTA BANDAR LAMPUNG

The postpartum period is a transitional period experienced by married couples who require adjustments to the presence of changes in their relationship, especially when the wife is experiencing postpartum stress (depression) during that period. The postpartum period causes changes in conditions followed by changing roles and responsibilities, which can affect the communication relationship between partners. This study focuses on communication patterns of married couples in postpartum pressure using the Interpersonal Communication Patterns Theory approach which is supported by the theory of relationship turbulence. The research method used is a qualitative method with data collection techniques in the form of interviews with four husband and wife couples who live in the city of Bandar Lampung, the determination of the informants is obtained through a snowball sampling strategy (multistage method) with expert informants as data confirmation. The results show that all couples have a separate balanced communication pattern (balanced split pattern) during the face of postpartum stress, which is marked by the division of responsibilities in different roles. In a balanced split communication pattern, all informants experience interferences as well as communication supports, and some experience relationship uncertainty, while constructive strategies are used as approaches in conflict management strategies between partners, characterized by open communication and negotiation. Conflicts related to childcare tasks and lack of quality interactions were the findings of this study. Abstrak Periode pasca melahirkan adalah periode transisi yang dialami oleh pasangan suami istri yang membutuhkan upaya penyesuaian dalam hubungan relasi, terlebih saat pihak istri mengalami tekanan/depresi pasca melahirkan selama periode tersebut. Periode pasca melahirkan menimbulkan perubahan kondisi, berupa perubahan peran dan tanggung jawab, yang dapat mempengaruhi hubungan komunikasi di antara pasangan. Penelitian ini berfokus pada pola komunikasi suami-istri dalam tekanan pasca melahirkan dengan metode penelitian kualitatif. Teknik pengambilan data berupa wawancara terhadap empat pasangan suami istri di Bandar Lampung yang didapat dari teknik pengambilan sample snowball sampling, Hasil menunjukkan bahwa seluruh pasangan memiliki pola komunikasi seimbang terpisah selama menghadapi tekanan pasca melahirkan, yang ditandai dengan adanya pembagian tanggung jawab pada peran yang berbeda. Dalam pola komunikasi seimbang terpisah, seluruh informan mengalami hambatan juga dukungan komunikasi, dan sebagian mengalami ketidakpastian hubungan. Sementara, strategi konstruktif digunakan sebagai pendekatan dalam strategi manajemen konflik di antara pasangan, ditandai dengan adanya keterbukaan komunikasi dan negosiasi. Konflik terkait dengan tugas pengasuhan anak dan kurangnya kualitas interaksi menjadi temuan dalam penelitian ini.