Machine learning-based predictive modeling of resilience to stressors in pregnant women during COVID-19: A prospective cohort study

PLoS One. 2022 Aug 11;17(8):e0272862. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272862. eCollection 2022.

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women have been at high risk for psychological distress. Lifestyle factors may be modifiable elements to help reduce and promote resilience to prenatal stress. We used Machine-Learning (ML) algorithms applied to questionnaire data obtained from an international cohort of 804 pregnant women to determine whether physical activity and diet were resilience factors against prenatal stress, and whether stress levels were in turn predictive of sleep classes. A support vector machine accurately classified perceived stress levels in pregnant women based on physical activity behaviours and dietary behaviours. In turn, we classified hours of sleep based on perceived stress levels. This research adds to a developing consensus concerning physical activity and diet, and the association with prenatal stress and sleep in pregnant women. Predictive modeling using ML approaches may be used as a screening tool and to promote positive health behaviours for pregnant women.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Machine Learning
  • Pandemics
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications* / epidemiology
  • Pregnant Women / psychology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology

Grants and funding

This research was supported by the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) awarded to BrainsCAN at Western University, the Whaley and Harding Fellowship-Children´s Health Research Institute, and the Western Fellowship Program. The funders had no role in the design and conduct of the study; collection, management, analysis, and interpretation of the data; preparation, review, or approval of the manuscript; and decision to submit the manuscript for publication. There was no additional external funding received for this study.