The role of perceived social support on the pregnant women’s mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic

Objective Social support is a well-established protective factor during pregnancy. However, during the Covid-19 pandemic, pregnant women have experienced a decrease of perceived social support. The present study aimed at investigating which are the sources of social support most affecting pregnant women’s levels of psychological distress and positive mental well-being during the Covid-19 pandemic. Methods 274 Italian and Canadian expectant mothers completed an online survey including four validated scales measuring social support (from family, significant other and friends), anxiety, depression, and satisfaction with life. Results The sources of social support affected differently pregnant women’s psychological distress and mental well-being. Indeed, family and friends social support were significantly related to women’s state anxiety and depression. Friends social support was also related to women’s satisfaction with life. Conclusion Our findings endorse the crucial role of social support as a protective factor for pregnant women’s mental health. Specifically, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, our findings suggest that family seems important in preventing psychological distress, whereas friends support is also associated to positive mental well-being. Practice Implications These results may help designing future interventions aimed at improving women’s perinatal mental health in life-threatening conditions.