Changes in Anxiety and Stress Among Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Content Analysis of a Japanese Social Question-and-Answer Website

Ritsuko Shirabe; Tsuyoshi Okuhara; Rie Yokota; Hiroko Okada; Eiko Goto; Takahiro Kiuchi

doi:10.2196/27733

Changes in Anxiety and Stress Among Pregnant Women During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Content Analysis of a Japanese Social Question-and-Answer Website

JMIR Pediatr Parent. 2021 Jul 15;4(3):e27733. doi: 10.2196/27733.

Authors

Ritsuko Shirabe¹, Tsuyoshi Okuhara², Rie Yokota¹, Hiroko Okada², Eiko Goto², Takahiro Kiuchi²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Health Communication, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.
² Department of Health Communication, School of Public Health, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.

PMID: 34156962
PMCID: PMC8284341
DOI: 10.2196/27733

Abstract

Background: The changing pattern of anxiety and stress experienced by pregnant women during the COVID-19 pandemic is unknown.

Objective: We aimed to examine the sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We performed content analysis of 1000 questions posted on the largest social website in Japan (Yahoo! Chiebukuro) from January 1 to May 25, 2020 (end date of the national state of emergency). The Gwet AC1 coefficient was used to verify interrater reliability.

Results: A total 12 categories were identified. Throughout the study period, anxiety related to going outdoors appeared most frequent, followed by anxiety regarding employment and infection among family and friends. Following the declaration of the state of national emergency at the peak of the infection, infection-related anxiety decreased, whereas anxiety about social support and mood disorders increased. Stress regarding relationships appeared frequent throughout the pandemic.

Conclusions: The sources of anxiety and stress in pregnant women in Japan changed during the pandemic. Our results suggest the need for rapid communications in the early phase of a pandemic as well as long-term psychosocial support to provide optimal support to pregnant women in Japan. Health care professionals should understand the changing pattern of requirements among pregnant women.

Keywords: COVID-19; anxiety; content analysis; health communication; health information; mental health; pregnancy; social question-and-answer website; social support; stress.

©Ritsuko Shirabe, Tsuyoshi Okuhara, Rie Yokota, Hiroko Okada, Eiko Goto, Takahiro Kiuchi. Originally published in JMIR Pediatrics and Parenting (https://pediatrics.jmir.org), 15.07.2021.