Predisposition of Early Maladaptive Schemas and Postpartum Depression during COVID-19 Crisis: Mediation of Mindfulness.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Past studies provide crucial evidence that pregnancy and childbirth increase the risk of emotional vulnerability and instability. Current research intends to explore the role of early maladaptive schemas and mindfulness as determinants of postpartum depression for expecting mothers during COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: The data was collected from 170 expecting mothers who conceived and gave birth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Edinburgh postnatal depression scale, the young schema questionnaire-SF 75 items, and the Kentucky inventory for mindfulness scale were administered. RESULTS: Results discovered that mindfulness partially mediated the relationship between three kinds of early maladaptive schemas and postpartum depression. CONCLUSION: Mindfulness-based control techniques can be considered to buffer the impact of the early maladaptive schemas on postpartum depression, for mothers who give birth during any challenging time.