New Parents Experienced Lower Parenting Self-Efficacy during the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is a global issue which affects the entire population’s mental health. This study evaluates how restrictions to curtail this pandemic change parenting self-efficacy, depressive symptoms, couple satisfaction and health-related quality of life in parents after delivery of a newborn. Methods: In this prospective single center evaluation of parental self-efficacy and quality of life, four validated questionnaires were used to repeatedly assess parenting self-efficacy (Tool to measure Parental Self-Efficacy, TOPSE), depressive symptoms (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, EPDS), couple satisfaction (Couple Satisfaction Index, CSI) and health-related quality of life (short form 12, SF12). Fifty-three parents of 50 infants answered a total number of 63 questionnaires during the lockdown period to limit the spread of COVID-19. These questionnaires were matched with 63 questionnaires of 58 other parents that had answered them before or after strong pandemic related measures. Results: Parents experienced lower parenting self-efficacy during the strict pandemic measures as compared to before and after (p = 0.04). In terms of age, socioeconomic, marital status and duration of hospitalization we detected no significant difference between both groups. On univariate linear regression, TOPSE scores were associated with gestational age (p = 0.044, parameter estimate: 1.67, 95% CI: 0.048 to 3.301), birth weight (p = 0.035, parameter estimate: 0.008, 95% CI: 0.001 to 0.015), number of newborns’ siblings (p = 0.0554, parameter estimate: 7.49, 95% CI: −0.174 to 15.145) and distance of home from hospital (p = 0.043, parameter estimate: −0.38, 95% CI: −0.745 to −0.011). Interestingly, there was a positive correlation between quality of life and TOPSE scores, suggesting that those who experience a higher self-efficacy also have a higher quality of life. Conclusions: When implementing a lock-down period psychological effects such as lower experience of parental self-efficacy have to be considered.

Global COVID-19 Vaccine Acceptance: A Systematic Review of Associated Social and Behavioral Factors

“…Individuals who required access to routine medical services such as pregnant women and people with chronic conditions experienced mental health issues such as stress, depression and reduced emotional well-being [14][15][16][17]. The emotional well-being of parents and children also suffered due to the lack of educational and food resources and the enhanced stress and financial problems due to restricted and insufficient healthcare facilities, especially in less-developed countries [18][19][20][21][22]. Due to the overwhelming number of positive cases and the limited availability of medical devices, the pressure on healthcare workers (HCWs) has significantly increased and placed them at higher risk of contracting the contagion.…”

Psychological health status in postpartum women during COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Overall, 679 relevant references were identified in the literature search, and 634 studies were excluded through screening of titles and abstracts. This left 45 papers for full-text screening, of which 16 were excluded: data for postpartum women were not reported separately in nine studies ( Li et al, 2021 ; Masters et al, 2021 ; Perzow et al, 2021 ; Wang et al, 2021 ; Liu et al, 2021 ; Stepowicz et al, 2020 ; Xue et al, 2021 ; Chaves et al, 2022 ; Farewell et al, 2020 ); psychological health symptoms were not screened by validated scales in three studies ( Dib et al, 2020 ; Ollivier et al, 2021 ; Jafree et al, 2021 ), and four studies reported the mean score for psychological health symptoms instead of prevalence ( Mayopoulos et al, 2021 ; McFarland et al, 2021 ; Shayganfard et al, 2020 ; Fernandes et al, 2021 ). Finally, 29 articles were included in the meta-analysis ( Loret de Mola et al, 2021 ; Pariente et al, 2020 ; Racine et al, 2021 ; Silverman et al, 2020 ; An et al, 2021 ; Basu et al, 2021 ; Bo et al, 2020 ; Boekhorst et al, 2021 ; Ceulemans et al, 2021 ; Ceulemans et al, 2020 ; Chrzan-Dętkoś et al, 2021 ; Fallon et al, 2021 ; Guvenc et al, 2021 ; Hamami et al, 2020 ; Hiiragi et al, 2021 ; Hui et al, 2021 ; Liang et al, 2020 ; Lorentz et al, 2020 ; Mariño-Narvaez et al, 2021 ; Molgora and Accordini, 2020 ; Oskovi-Kaplan et al, 2021 ; Ostacoli et al, 2020 ; Spinola et al, 2020 ; Stojanov et al, 2021 ; Suárez-Rico et al, 2021 ; Sun et al, 2020b ; Suzuki, 2022 ; Zanardo et al, 2020 ; Zeng et al, 2020 ).…”

EAP and ECPCP Statement Risks for Children's Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic and a Call for Maintenance of Essential Pediatric Services

“…Many parents and caregivers are also experiencing greater stress because of the lockdown and home schooling and increased time with their children has caused many to feel uncertain of their parental abilities, which is especially apparent in the group characterized by the following factors: motherhood, being single, having younger children, having a special needs child, and having many children (35). These factors combined are liable to lead to intra-family conflicts and, in some cases, family violence (36)(37)(38). The data show an increase in the number of children exposed to violence and witnessing domestic violence during the pandemic.…”