Coping Strategies used by Pregnant Women and New Mothers During Covid-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The present study explored the coping strategies used by pregnant women and new mothers during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The sample of the study comprised 524 women (209 pregnant women and 315 new mothers) residing in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh States of India. The data of the study was collected by using a self-structured Coping Strategy Questionnaire for Pregnant Women and New Mothers via Google Forms. No significant difference was recorded in the coping mechanisms used by the participants across different stages of pregnancy and COVID zones. However, pregnant women were found to use significantly more ‘understanding problem strategy’ as compared to new mothers. Similarly, the mothers who have babies under six months of age were found to use more ‘understanding problem’ and ‘using instrumental social support’ strategies compared to mothers whose babies were older than six months.