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The impact of COVID-19 on women’s mental health and coping during pregnancy and postpartum
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  • Original Research
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  • Published: 10 February 2026

The impact of COVID-19 on women’s mental health and coping during pregnancy and postpartum

  • Leslie C. M. Johnson1,
  • Rebecca Hong1,
  • Joi Henry2,
  • India Stevenson3 &
  • …
  • Subasri Narasimhan2 

Scientific Reports , Article number:  (2026) Cite this article

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We are providing an unedited version of this manuscript to give early access to its findings. Before final publication, the manuscript will undergo further editing. Please note there may be errors present which affect the content, and all legal disclaimers apply.

Subjects

  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Patient education
  • Risk factors

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in elevated rates of depression and anxiety among people during pregnancy, at rates higher than those observed in pregnant populations pre-pandemic. In this mixed methods study, 20 postpartum women were interviewed and administered depression and anxiety screeners to assess the mental health impacts of giving birth during the pandemic. Qualitative data were analyzed using a thematic approach, with subgroups comparisons to draw out differences in emotional, social, and psychological impacts, as well as coping mechanisms used. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the prevalence of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Most women held advanced degrees (85%), were married (95%), first-time parents (60%) and experienced a high-risk pregnancy (60%). Less than half (40%) of the women identified as a racial or ethnic minority. Women in this sample reported low rates of mild anxiety (30%) and depressive symptoms (15%). This study identified three themes related to mental health and coping during pregnancy and postpartum: isolation and loneliness as a result of COVID-19 disruptions, fear and anxiety resulting from simultaneous information overload and uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and coping mechanisms to confront stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Community-based interventions to promote maternal mental health are needed to complement clinical support and resources.

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Data availability

The datasets generated during and analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the participants of this study. This work was supported by the Center of Excellence in Maternal and Child Health as a seed grant through HRSA Maternal and Child Health Bureau [grant number T76MC28446-08-00].

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Emory School of Medicine, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA

    Leslie C. M. Johnson & Rebecca Hong

  2. Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    Joi Henry & Subasri Narasimhan

  3. Department of Behavioral, Social, and Health Education Sciences, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA

    India Stevenson

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  1. Leslie C. M. Johnson
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  5. Subasri Narasimhan
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Contributions

LJ and SN conceptualized the study, acquired funding, and oversaw the data collection process carried out by JH. RH, LJ, JH, and IS analyzed and drafted the main manuscript text and SN reviewed and edited the text. All authors reviewed the manuscript.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Leslie C. M. Johnson.

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Johnson, L.C.M., Hong, R., Henry, J. et al. The impact of COVID-19 on women’s mental health and coping during pregnancy and postpartum. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37897-x

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  • Received: 13 March 2024

  • Accepted: 27 January 2026

  • Published: 10 February 2026

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37897-x

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Keywords

  • Isolation
  • Loneliness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Qualitative
  • Maternal health
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