The usefulness of e-mental health tools to promote maternal mental health in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Background The COVID-19 pandemic imposed specific contingencies on perinatal population, with increased risks for women's mental health. Specific interventions are needed to prevent emotional disturbance and the burden felt by health services in high-demand times. Aims and Objectives Building on the experience of Be a Mom we aimed to develop and test the preliminary effectiveness of a brief psychological intervention, in the form of a mobile application (Mind the Mom), containing information, exercises and cognitive-behavioural strategies adapted to the pandemic context. Methods The sample consists of 233 pregnant women recruited in health services and online, who used and evaluated the Mind the Mom mobile app, after completion of self-report assessment instruments. Results The participants mainly lived in urban areas, had a university degree, and 60% reported no previous need for mental health services. 70% of the participants assessed every module and the whole app as very or extremely useful, with 80% intending to continue to use the strategies proposed, and 73,7% stating they would recommend it to other pregnant women. These results were analysed in relation to their self-reports of psychopathology symptoms and positive mental health. Interpretation/Discussion The strategies proposed by Mind the Mom app seem to provide participants with useful tools to enhance their well-being while pregnant through stressful times. Women with past or present history of anxiety or depression seem to benefit from this intervention, although it may be insufficient to assure a positive adjustment to the challenges of pregnancy. Conclusions E-health programs based on cognitive-behavioural strategies may be useful in promoting well-being of women during pregnancy. Further studies are needed to enlighten who benefits more from these programs, and how it can be suited to best serve the mental health needs of pregnant women from distinct backgrounds.