@article{Kuipers_Y-2022_104005,
title = {Emotional wellbeing of student midwives during COVID-19},
author = {Kuipers, Y. and Mestdagh, E.},
month = {nov},
year = {2022},
abstract = {BackgroundMental health of students in higher education was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic.AimTo examine the emotional wellbeing of midwifery students in the Netherlands and Flanders (Belgium) during COVID-19.MethodsA cross-sectional online-based survey with 619 Dutch and Flemish midwifery students. Sociodemographic details were obtained. Anxiety and depression were measured twice (T1, T2) during the COVID-19 pandemic.FindingsFlemish students had significantly higher mean depression and anxiety scores than Dutch students during the total period of study (p &lt; .001; p &lt; .001). Total group mean depression and anxiety scores were significantly higher at T2 compared to T1 (p &lt; .001; p &lt; .001). In the Dutch student group, there was a significant increase of depression from T1 to T2 (p &lt; .001). In the Flemish student group, both depression and anxiety scores significantly increased from T1 to T2 (p &lt; .001; p &lt; .001). A history of psychological problems predicted both depression and anxiety, irrespective of COVID-19 period or country (p &lt; .001; p &lt; .001). Being single (p.015) and having a job (p.046) predicted depression, irrespective of period or country. A history of psychological problems predicted depression (p.004; p &lt; .001) and anxiety (p.003; p.001) during the total period of study. Being single also predicted depression during T2 (p.024).ConclusionThese findings inform how emotional wellbeing of midwifery students was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic and identify those students that might need extra attention after the pandemic, during another pandemic or similar situations with social restrictions.},
journal = {Women and Birth},
publisher = {Elsevier},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wombi.2022.11.012},
}
