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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
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Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

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Postpartum Mental Health Problems in the Mothers of Very, Moderately and Late Preterm Infants During and After

Magdalena Chrzan-Dętkoś1, Natalia Murawska1, Marta Łockiewicz1

  • 1Institute of Psychology, University of Gdańsk, Gdańsk, Poland, ug.edu.pl.

Depression and Anxiety
|May 18, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Mothers of very preterm infants experience more depressive symptoms, regardless of the COVID-19 pandemic. Factors like financial strain and previous mental health issues predict postpartum mental health problems in mothers of preterm babies.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal mental health
  • Maternal psychology
  • Public health

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PTB) affects approximately 11% of women globally, a challenge exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • The pandemic introduced additional stressors for mothers experiencing preterm birth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mental health symptoms (depression, anxiety, anhedonia, self-harm thoughts) in mothers of preterm infants.
  • To compare symptom severity across different categories of preterm birth (very, moderate, late).
  • To identify socio-demographic, psychological, birth-related, and COVID-19-related risk factors for increased maternal mental health symptoms.

Main Methods:

  • A total of 948 mothers of preterm infants participated in midwife-led postpartum depression (PPD) screening.
  • Data collected via sociodemographic survey and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS).
  • Statistical analyses included t-tests, ANOVAs, chi-square tests, and hierarchical multiple regression.

Main Results:

  • Mothers of very preterm infants reported higher depressive symptoms compared to those with moderately or late preterm infants.
  • Women giving birth during COVID-19 showed a trend towards higher anxiety but not depression.
  • Significant predictors of poor maternal mental health included financial difficulties, higher education, prior mental health issues, and infant health complications (low birth weight, medical issues).

Conclusions:

  • Depressive symptom severity in mothers of preterm infants is linked to gestational age, not the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Mothers of very preterm infants require enhanced postpartum support.
  • Gestational age is a critical factor in postpartum maternal mental health outcomes.
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19 pandemicmental health problemspostpartum depressionpreterm birthrisk factors

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