A Correlational Study Of Midwives’ Self‐Compassion, Psychosocial Health, and Well‐Being During the First Wave of COVID‐19: What Have We Learned?

Abstract

IntroductionDuring the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic, midwives worked in a threatening environment and worried about themselves and their families becoming infected. Self‐compassion is defined as an attitude of self‐kindness that is supported by a balanced attitude toward negative thoughts or feelings and may contribute to the psychosocial health and well‐being. The purpose of this study was to describe midwives’ self‐compassion, psychosocial health, and well‐being and the correlation between them.MethodsThis was a descriptive correlational study using a survey administered online during May, 2020. Participants included midwives who worked in labor and delivery units across Israel during the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic. Measures included a demographic questionnaire; the Self‐Compassion Scale Short Form (SCS‐SF), which has 12 items in 6 subscales; and the psychosocial health and well‐being questionnaire, a short version of the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire, which has 24 items in 6 subscales.ResultsParticipants (N = 144) reported a moderate‐high level of self‐compassion with a mean (SD) SCS‐SF score of 3.57 (0.69). The mean (SD) psychosocial well‐being score was 30.72 (13.57). The burnout subscale score had the highest mean (46.27), representing a high level of burnout. A minority (11.3%) of midwives considered resigning their midwifery positions. A higher level of self‐compassion correlated with better psychosocial well‐being (r = −0.466; P < .001). The highest correlation was found between the SCS‐SF and the psychosocial health and well‐being subscale for depressive symptoms (r = −0.574; P < .001).DiscussionDuring the first wave of the COVID‐19 pandemic, midwives had a moderate‐high grade of self‐compassion and good psychosocial well‐being. Midwives with higher self‐compassion had better psychosocial well‐being. The findings could inform the development of programs to increase midwives’ self‐compassion, and psychosocial well‐being and the quality of midwifery care, in times of stability and during future pandemics or disasters.