How Does COVID-19 Distress Affect Mental Health in New Mothers?

What you need to know

• Postpartum women reported more OCD-type symptoms related to contamination and responsibility for harm compared to non-mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic
• COVID-19 distress was more strongly linked to contamination-related OCD symptoms in postpartum women than non-mothers
• For all women, COVID-19 distress was associated with higher levels of anxiety and OCD-type symptoms

The Impact of COVID-19 on New Mothers’ Mental Health

The postpartum period, defined as the first 12 months after giving birth, is already a time of increased vulnerability for mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and eating disorders in women. With the added stress of the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers wanted to examine how new mothers might be uniquely impacted compared to women who have never been pregnant.

This study compared postpartum women to a control group of women without children on various mental health symptoms during the pandemic. The researchers also looked at how COVID-19-specific distress related to these symptoms in both groups.

Higher OCD Symptoms in New Mothers

One of the key findings was that postpartum women reported significantly higher levels of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) type symptoms compared to the control group. Specifically, new mothers had more symptoms related to:

1. Concerns about contamination
2. Feelings of responsibility for preventing harm

This aligns with the heightened focus on cleanliness and hygiene during the pandemic. For new mothers caring for an infant, these concerns may be amplified.

The study’s lead author, Katherine Thompson, explains: “It’s understandable that new moms might be extra vigilant about germs and safety during a pandemic. However, when these thoughts and behaviors become excessive to the point of disrupting daily life, they can be classified as OCD-type symptoms.”

COVID-19 Distress and Mental Health

The researchers also examined how pandemic-related distress correlated with various mental health symptoms. They found that for all women, higher COVID-19 distress was associated with:

• More general anxiety symptoms
• Higher total OCD-type symptoms
• More OCD symptoms related to feeling responsible for preventing harm

Importantly, the link between COVID-19 distress and contamination-related OCD symptoms was stronger for postpartum women compared to the control group. This suggests new mothers may be particularly vulnerable to developing these types of intrusive thoughts and compulsive behaviors in response to pandemic stress.

Dr. Thompson notes: “While it’s normal for new parents to be concerned about their baby’s health, the pandemic seems to be intensifying those worries for some mothers to an unhealthy degree.”

Eating Disorders and Depression

Interestingly, the study did not find significant differences between postpartum and control women when it came to eating disorder symptoms or depression. COVID-19 distress also did not appear strongly linked to these issues.

However, the researchers point out that rates of eating disorders and depression were elevated in both groups compared to pre-pandemic norms. This suggests the pandemic may be negatively impacting mental health for women in general, not just new mothers.

Why It Matters

Understanding how the pandemic uniquely affects postpartum women is crucial for several reasons:

1. Maternal mental health has a significant impact on infant development and mother-child bonding.

2. Identifying at-risk groups can help healthcare providers screen for and treat issues early.

3. Tailored interventions may be needed to address the specific concerns of new mothers during this time.

Dr. Anna Bardone-Cone, co-author of the study, emphasizes: “The postpartum period is already challenging for many women. Adding pandemic-related stress on top of that may push some new mothers into clinical levels of anxiety or OCD that require professional help.”

Coping Strategies for New Mothers

While the study highlights some concerning trends, the researchers also suggest potential ways to support maternal mental health during the pandemic:

• Mindfulness apps or online videos to reduce stress and anxiety
• Internet-based cognitive behavioral therapy
• Telemedicine options to allow safe access to mental health services
• Combination of therapy and medication when needed

For postpartum women struggling with excessive worries about contamination, exposure therapy techniques may be particularly helpful. This involves gradually facing feared situations (like touching a doorknob) without performing compulsive behaviors (like excessive hand washing).

Limitations and Future Directions

The researchers note some limitations of the study, including:

• A sample that was primarily white and highly educated
• Cross-sectional design that can’t show changes over time
• Reliance on self-reported symptoms rather than clinical diagnoses

They emphasize the need for more diverse, long-term studies to track how maternal mental health evolves as the pandemic continues. Additionally, examining how these issues may impact child development will be an important area for future research.

Conclusions

• Postpartum women appear to be at higher risk for certain OCD-type symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic
• The link between pandemic distress and contamination-related OCD is stronger in new mothers
• Healthcare providers should screen for anxiety and OCD symptoms in postpartum women
• Targeted mental health interventions may be needed to support new mothers during this challenging time