During COVID-19 Profiles
A total of four maternal mental health profiles were identified during COVID-19: (1) Below Clinical Concern, (2) Clinically Depressed and Highly Stressed, (3) Stressed, Approaching Clinical Concern, and (4) Highest Clinical Concern (Figure 1).
Below Clinical Concern (Profile One). The largest percentage of mothers were in the mental health profile identified as below clinical concern during the pandemic (49.4%). Like the Below Clinical Concern Profile prior to COVID-19 mothers in this profile had the lowest anxiety, depression, and stress scores across all other profiles. However, this group has slightly lower anxiety and stress, with slightly higher depression scores than the similar profile prior to COVID-19.
Clinically Depressed and Highly Stressed (Profile Two). The mothers identified in this profile (10.7%) had clinical depression and double that average stress rates of Canadian mothers. This profile is similar to the clinically depressed and highly stressed profile prior to COVID-19, has slightly lower depression scores.
Stressed, Approaching Clinical Concern (Profile Three). Over a quarter (27.9%) of mothers in this study during COVID-19 were identified as stressed and approaching clinical concern. This profile is comparable to the stressed, approaching clinical concern prior to COVID-19 but has slightly lower depression scores.
Highest Clinical Concern (Profile Four). During COVID-19, a new profile was identified consisting of mothers who were of high clinical concern (12.0%). This profile of mothers has anxiety scores that were well above the clinical cut off, clinical depression, and more than double the average stress scores of Canadian mothers.