Liat Helpman, Noga Shiffman, Yael Mayer, Lena Sagi-Dain, Rinat Gabbay-Benziv
{"title":"\"The war within\": psychological mediators of the relationship between cumulative stress exposure and self-reported changes in gynecological symptoms among women during wartime.","authors":"Liat Helpman, Noga Shiffman, Yael Mayer, Lena Sagi-Dain, Rinat Gabbay-Benziv","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2722543","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2026.2722543","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Previous studies have tied stress exposure and psychological response, including posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), to changes in gynecological symptoms (pain, urogenital symptoms and menstruation), however the multipartite relationship between these variables has been underexplored.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An online, cross sectional, survey was completed by 527 Israeli women during Israel-Gaza war. The questionnaires included demographics, gynecological symptoms before and after war onset, and validated scales for exposure to war-related stressors, exposure impact and PTSS. Serial mediation models were tested, with cumulative exposure to war related stressors as the predictor and the subjective impact of exposures and PTSS as serial mediators. Reported change in gynecological symptoms (pain, menstrual symptoms and urogenital symptoms) were outcomes.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Indirect effects of cumulative exposure on changes in all gynecological symptoms were significantly mediated through PTSS alone and sequentially through the subjective impact of exposure and PTSS for all outcomes. Independent and direct effects varied between outcomes. PTSS correlated significantly with all the variables in the model.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The results support serial mediation of exposure effects for all three symptom change categories, emphasizing the importance of psychological factors in gynecological symptoms changes among women during times of crisis. Potential underlying mechanisms for future exploration and implications for clinicians are discussed.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2722543"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149185206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Empathy and healing: supporting patients and families after miscarriage.","authors":"Bushra M Abdallah, Aml M Erhuma","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2699971","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2699971","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Miscarriage is a common obstetric complication that can have significant emotional and psychological consequences for affected women and their families. Despite its frequency, the emotional impact of pregnancy loss is often underestimated, and the quality of care provided during this vulnerable period can strongly influence how patients cope with the experience. Empathetic and patient-centred communication plays a critical role in supporting individuals following miscarriage. This paper examines the emotional burden associated with pregnancy loss, highlights the importance of empathy in clinical care, and discusses common barriers that may hinder compassionate practice, including time constraints, systemic pressures, and the use of overly clinical language. Strategies to enhance empathetic care are also explored, such as improving communication training for healthcare providers, encouraging active listening, using sensitive language, and ensuring appropriate follow-up support. Strengthening empathy in miscarriage care may improve patient experiences and promote emotional recovery after pregnancy loss.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2699971"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148413605","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Birgitta Larsson, Margareta Johansson, Danielle Eld, Linn Hirsch, Hanna Fahlbeck
{"title":"Navigating fear of birth: women's desire for relational midwifery continuity of care.","authors":"Birgitta Larsson, Margareta Johansson, Danielle Eld, Linn Hirsch, Hanna Fahlbeck","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2715724","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2026.2715724","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Midwifery continuity models of care have been associated with positive health outcomes and positive childbirth experiences. Such models may be beneficial for women with fear of birth but remain uncommon in Sweden.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To explore thoughts and perceptions of midwifery continuity of care among women with fear of birth and describe their experiences of fragmented maternity care.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>A qualitative research design in which semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted during pregnancy and postpartum with women scoring above 70 on the Fear of Birth Scale. Data was analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Two themes were identified: <i>A desire for knowing and being known</i> and <i>Unheld in the hands of many</i>. These illustrate women's desire to feel secure and their belief that a trusting relationship with a known midwife throughout pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period could reduce their fear. Fragmented standard care was perceived as stressful, and all women expressed interest in midwifery continuity of care.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Women with fear of birth believed that relational continuity with a known midwife could foster trust, guidance and reduce fear. The fragmented standard care was perceived as uncertain, contributing to emotional distress. These findings highlight the need for personalized and relational midwifery care.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2715724"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714482","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Dose-response association between perinatal 25(OH)D status and postpartum depression.","authors":"Li Yang, MeiHua Shi, Lu Tian","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2715723","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2026.2715723","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Postpartum depression (PPD) is a common perinatal disorder that affects maternal and child health. Although vitamin D deficiency has been linked to depressive symptoms, the dose‑response relationship between perinatal serum 25(OH)D and PPD and predictive value remains unclear.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>To investigate the dose‑response relationship between perinatal 25(OH)D and PPD and evaluate its predictive value.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 326 perinatal women were enrolled, PPD was assessed within 6 weeks postpartum, and serum 25(OH)D was measured at 24-48 hours after delivery. Analyses included baseline characteristics, EPDS scores, risk factors, dose‑response, predictive performance, and interactions with supplementation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>PPD incidence was 23.31%. The PPD group had lower 25(OH)D, negatively correlated with EPDS scores. Each 1 ng/mL increase in 25(OH)D reduced PPD risk by 25% (OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.68-0.82, <i>P</i> < 0.001). Primiparity and fair spousal relationship were risk factors; planned pregnancy, sunlight, and oral supplementation were protective. Positive interactions with sunlight and supplementation were observed, with linear dose‑response. The AUC was 0.822, with an optimal cutoff of 24.26 ng/mL (sensitivity 67.11%, specificity 85.20%).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Perinatal 25(OH)D levels are linearly and negatively correlated with PPD risk and show good screening utility; exogenous supplementation appears to modify this protective effect.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2715723"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148765021","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Georgios C Soultanopoulos, Judith J Idzenga, Astrid M Kamperman, Maria G van Pampus, Johannes C F Ket, Jens Henrichs, Corine J M Verhoeven
{"title":"Psychological interventions to improve maternal mental health and resilience during pregnancy in the COVID-19 pandemic: a systematic review.","authors":"Georgios C Soultanopoulos, Judith J Idzenga, Astrid M Kamperman, Maria G van Pampus, Johannes C F Ket, Jens Henrichs, Corine J M Verhoeven","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2714888","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2714888","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>During the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women experienced increased psychological distress, while access to routine mental health care was often disrupted. Psychological interventions may provide an effective strategy to support maternal mental health under these circumstances.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This systematic review aimed to provide an overview of psychological interventions for pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing distress and enhancing resilience.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A systematic search of four databases was conducted up to 3 September 2025. Randomised and non-randomised studies evaluating psychological interventions during pregnancy were included.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Sixteen studies met the inclusion criteria. Interventions included cognitive behavioural therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, psychoeducation, and other psychological approaches delivered through individual, group, digital, or hybrid formats. Most studies reported reductions in depression, anxiety, or stress, and some found improvements in resilience-related factors. However, the methodological quality was modest; with heterogeneous outcome measures and limited follow-up.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Overall, psychological interventions adapted for digital or hybrid delivery show promise for improving maternal emotional well-being in times of crises. The findings suggest that accessible and scalable psychological interventions may support maternal mental health during crisis situations when routine care is disrupted. Future research should prioritize larger, methodologically rigorous trials with standardized outcomes, and longer follow-up periods.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2714888"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148708394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Merve Dilli Gürkan, Erdem Gürkan, Özlem Yıldız Gündoğdu
{"title":"Maternal bonding and psychological symptoms among women with and without COVID-19 infection: a comparative cross-sectional study.","authors":"Merve Dilli Gürkan, Erdem Gürkan, Özlem Yıldız Gündoğdu","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2728364","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2026.2728364","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Childbirth during the COVID-19 pandemic involved infection-control measures and changes in maternity care that may have increased psychological stress and affected early mother-infant bonding, particularly among women infected at delivery.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aimed to compare postpartum depressive symptoms, anxiety levels, and mother-infant bonding among women with positive versus negative COVID-19 PCR test results at the time of delivery.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The study included 107 postpartum women (53 COVID-19 positive, 54 COVID-19 negative). Participants completed a sociodemographic form, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire within the first few days of postpartum hospitalization.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>COVID-19-positive women had significantly higher depressive symptoms, state anxiety, and bonding difficulty scores. In both groups, depressive and anxiety symptoms were positively correlated with bonding problems, with stronger associations in the positive group. In multivariate analyses, depressive symptoms and particularly state anxiety remained independently associated with bonding difficulties, whereas COVID-19 status was no longer significantly associated after adjustment for anxiety.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study emphasizes the importance of considering care practices that support both maternal mental health and healthy mother-infant bonding when planning maternity services during public health emergencies.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"47 1","pages":"2728364"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6,"publicationDate":"2026-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148901443","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Theresia Margaretha Nicole Manshanden, Y M G A Hendrix, Fedde Scheele, Joost Velzel, Mariëlle G van Pampus
{"title":"Exploring the relationship between breastfeeding and psychological well-being after traumatic childbirth: a secondary analysis of the PERCEIVE study data.","authors":"Theresia Margaretha Nicole Manshanden, Y M G A Hendrix, Fedde Scheele, Joost Velzel, Mariëlle G van Pampus","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2025.2588223","DOIUrl":"10.1080/0167482X.2025.2588223","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The relation between maternal mental health and breastfeeding is complex, with breastfeeding often associated with improved well-being.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study investigates associations between breastfeeding outcomes and psychological well-being in women with traumatic birth experience (TBE).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This exploratory secondary analysis utilized data from the PERCEIVE randomized controlled trial, which assessed the effectiveness of early eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms after TBE. Women with self-reported TBE (<i>n</i> = 143) were recruited between 2020 and 2023 from a hospital and midwifery practices in the Netherlands. Breastfeeding status was assessed at two (T0) and nine (T1) weeks postpartum. Outcomes were assessed using validated questionnaires on mother‒infant bonding (PBQ), PTSD symptoms (PCL-5), depression (EPDS), fear of childbirth (W-DEQ-B), and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 143 participants, 126 initiated breastfeeding. At T0, breastfeeding women reported fewer symptoms of mother‒infant bonding difficulties, compared with non-breastfeeding women, <i>p</i> = 0.004. At T1, descriptive analyses found that participants who stopped breastfeeding reported more PTSD and depression symptoms.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Our findings suggest that breastfeeding enhances mother-infant bonding after TBE. The weaker bonding reported in nonbreastfeeding participants, coupled with possible poorer mental health outcomes, underscores the need for targeted interventions to support breastfeeding and bonding in this population.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"46 1","pages":"2588223"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145649902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Julie Anne Quinlivan, Sibil Tschudin, Roberto Orefice, Marijana Vidmar Simic, Ruben Plöger, Mechthild Neises-Rudolf, Chulman Lee
{"title":"Working together: pitches for international collaboration in women's health research from ISPOG 2025.","authors":"Julie Anne Quinlivan, Sibil Tschudin, Roberto Orefice, Marijana Vidmar Simic, Ruben Plöger, Mechthild Neises-Rudolf, Chulman Lee","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2025.2602597","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2602597","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"46 1","pages":"2602597"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145776331","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The mediating effect of bedtime procrastination between sleep quality and pregnancy-related anxiety.","authors":"Mingfen Liu, Hui Liu, Lisha Guo, Yifang Zhuo, Wenpei Liao, Guoyi Tang, Fang Deng, Fang He","doi":"10.1080/0167482X.2025.2546918","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2025.2546918","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This study aims to investigate the mediating role of bedtime procrastination in the relationship between sleep quality and pregnancy-related anxiety in pregnant women.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A total of 422 pregnant women were surveyed at the maternity clinic of a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou, China, using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Pregnancy-Related Anxiety Scale (PRAQ), and the Bedtime Procrastination Scale (BPS). The mediating effect of bedtime procrastination was examined via Model 4 in the PROCESS macro for SPSS.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean scores of the participants were as follows: sleep quality (5.86 ± 2.86), bedtime procrastination (2.72 ± 0.85), and pregnancy-related anxiety (24.38 ± 6.99). Sleep quality was positively correlated with both bedtime procrastination and pregnancy-related anxiety, and bedtime procrastination was also positively correlated with pregnancy-related anxiety (all <i>p</i> < 0.001). The mediating effect of bedtime procrastination was 0.211, accounting for 29.80% of the total effect.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Sleep disturbances, bedtime procrastination, and pregnancy-related anxiety were prevalent among pregnant women. Bedtime procrastination partially mediated the relationship between sleep quality and pregnancy-related anxiety. Interventions aimed at reducing bedtime procrastination could improve sleep quality and mitigate its impact on pregnancy-related anxiety.</p>","PeriodicalId":50072,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics & Gynecology","volume":"46 1","pages":"2546918"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0,"publicationDate":"2025-12-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144976774","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}