The Effect Of The Covid-19 Epidemic On The Postpartum Anxiety And Emotion Regulation Status Of Mothers

Abstract

Introduction: The Covid-19 epidemic has a significant effect on postpartum anxiety and emotion regulation status of women. In particular, the nosemaphobia to Covid-19 -fear of contracting the Covid-19 disease- can affect women’s anxiety levels and emotional regulation difficulties status. Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the effect of the Covid-19 epidemic on postpartum anxiety and emotional regulation difficulties status of mothers. Method: 222 women who were in the first 6-8 weeks after their delivery participated in this study that was planned in descriptive type. The data were collected online through an internet-based survey program. During the data collection phase of the study; Personal information form prepared by the researchers, Beck Anxiety Scale and Emotion Regulation Difficulty Scale Short Form were used. The data of the study were analyzed with the IBM SPSS 25 program. Ethics committee permission and written consent were obtained from the participants in order to conduct the study. Findings: The Beck Anxiety Scale mean score of the women who delivered during the Covid-19 epidemic was found as 31.2 ± 10.36, and the Emotion Regulatory Scale mean score was 29.45 ± 12.98 at the end of the study. It was determined that there was a significant relationship between the age and education level of the participants and their anxiety levels. It has been also determined that there was a significant relationship between the mother’s sleep problem and the fear of contracting the Covid-19 disease, and the anxiety levels and emotional regulation difficulties of the women. In addition, it was observed that there was a significant difference between women’s evaluation of their relationship with their spouses and emotional regulation difficulties. Conclusion: According to the results of the study; It has been determined that women who delivered during the Covid-19 pandemic period had severe anxiety. The results of our study show that the Covid-19 epidemic has an impact on postpartum anxiety and emotional dysregulation status of mothers. It is thought that the results of this study evaluating the effects of the Covid-19 epidemic on the anxiety and emotional regulation difficulties of mothers in the postpartum period, will strengthen the literature on postpartum care during the epidemic and guide health professionals.