Anxiety and Maternal Self-efficacy among Postpartum Mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background. Postpartum mothers are vulnerable to maternal mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Research relating anxiety to maternal self-efficacy (MSE) in postpartum mothers in Indonesia is limited.

Objective. This study aims to identify the relationship between anxiety and demographic characteristics with MSE among postpartum mothers in Indonesia.

Methods. This was a cross-sectional study conducted among 116 postpartum mothers in the Bekasi area, West Java using accidental sampling method. We used the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale – Research Short-Form - For use in global Crises (PSAS-RSF-C) and MSE questionnaires. We compared maternal self-efficacy and parity using the chisquared test. Odds ratio and 95% CI were computed to determine parity, educational level, and anxiety.

Results. Most respondents were aged between 20-35 years (60.3%), had higher education (54.3%), did not work (65.5%), multiparous (69%), experienced anxiety (50.9%), and had good MSE (84.5%). There was a significant relationship between low educational level, primiparous, and high anxiety with poor MSE (p value <0.05, 95% CI). Meanwhile, age and work status did not have a significant relationship with MSE.

Conclusion. High level of anxiety was strongly associated with poor MSE. Health workers are expected to screen and intervene to prevent anxiety and to improve MSE.