Impact of COVID-19 on Mental Health and Resiliency of Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents and Young Adults: A Qualitative Study.
Bridgette Merriman, Grace Jarmoc, Madeleine van der Rijn and 1 others
PMID 36973102WHAT IT FOUND
Pregnant and parenting adolescents and young adults described more isolation, loneliness and worsened anxiety or depression during the pandemic.
They reported coping through therapy, family and friend contact, group programs and a positive outlook.
Key findings
01Both pregnant and parenting young adults reported increased isolation and loneliness, and worsening of preexisting mental health challenges.
02Pregnant participants reported occupation loss, suicidal ideation and reduced support during pregnancy and birth because support people could not attend medical care.
03Participants described coping through therapy, social connections, group care programs and a positive outlook.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 15 people attended interviews, so these themes describe a small group and cannot show what most pregnant or parenting adolescents and young adults experienced. The study was done at one safety-net hospital in the northeast and included only English-speaking women who used a teen and tot clinic. Of 92 eligible people, 72 were reached, 32 consented and 15 attended; 40 declined and 17 did not attend, so people who did not participate may differ. Race, marital status, income, religion and education level were not collected, and the study included only women, not all people who may become pregnant. Interviews were conducted by video, which may have affected what participants said. Qualitative interviews produce themes and experiences, not proof that any treatment or coping strategy works.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the reported coping strategies as tested treatments. The study interviewed 15 young parents and describes what they said helped, not what was shown to work.