The Effect of Fear of COVID-19 on Prenatal Attachment and Pregnancy Stress in Pregnant Women

Abstract

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has disrupted the lives of people around the world, causing illness, death, fear, and trauma. This study aims to determine the effect of fear of contracting COVID-19 on pregnancy stress and prenatal attachment in pregnant women. This cross-sectional and descriptive study was conducted with 270 pregnant women who were registered in the family health center of a city located in the eastern part of Turkey. Data were collected between November 2020 and March 2021. The average age of the participants was 28.24 ± 5.69. A positive and weak correlation was found between the Fear of COVID-19 Scale Mean score and the Prenatal Attachment Inventory (PAI) and Pregnancy Stress Rating Scale (PSRS) mean scores ( r = 0.379, 0.478; P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, a weak correlation was detected between the PAI mean score and the PSRS mean score ( r = 0.495; P < 0.001). Results showed that the fear of COVID-19 affected prenatal attachment at a proportion of 14% and pregnancy stress at a proportion of 22%. This study found that the fear of COVID-19 had effects on pregnancy stress and prenatal attachment. Healthcare professionals should consider the fear caused by the pandemic as a factor in the treatment-care and consultancy services provided to pregnant women in extraordinary, unprecedented times like the COVID-19 pandemic. [ Psychiatr Ann . 2023;53(8):381–388.]