Exploring factors associated with complete mental health of pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objective: To explore a wide range of factors associated with complete mental health (i.e., positive mental health - the presence of flourishing, and the absence of mental illness - depressive and anxious symptoms) among Portuguese pregnant women, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: Quantitative cross-sectional study. Setting: Data were collected through an online survey placed on social media websites targeting pregnant Portuguese adult women between October 2020 and April 2021. Participants: The sample comprised 207 pregnant women. Results: A multivariate logistic regression model showed that higher levels of self-compassion and higher engagement in mindful self-care practices increased the likelihood of reporting complete mental health during pregnancy. Conclusions: Promoting self-compassion and mindful self-care may be particularly important in pregnant women, as these psychological factors appear to contribute to complete mental health during COVID-19 pandemic. Implications for practice: The COVID-19 pandemic represented a demanding period for pregnant women. Our findings highlight that targeting the promotion of self-compassion and mindful self-care practices during stressful periods could significantly contribute to their overall mental health.