Factors Associated with Symptoms of Posttraumatic Stress in Mothers During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Objectives The objective of the study was to evaluate the factors associated with symptoms of posttraumatic stress in mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Cross-sectional study conducted with mothers of children and adolescents living in Brazil, who answered an online questionnaire containing sociodemographic variables and the Impact of Events Scale-Revised. The Poisson regression model with robust variance was used to identify the factors associated with posttraumatic stress. Results A percentage of 83.82% of mothers reported an overload in caring for their children during the pandemic. The prevalence of posttraumatic stress symptoms was 39.05%, and this condition was associated with younger age, living in the northern region of the country, using medications, presenting neuropsychiatric comorbidities and being little/more or less satisfied with life. Conclusions for Practice The mental health situation of mothers during and after the pandemic must be monitored, in order to guarantee public policies capable of optimizing the coping with the situation. Significance What is Already Known on this Subject? During the COVID-19 pandemic, people were exposed to fear, stress and anxiety, which can lead to posttraumatic stress symptoms. Women have a higher prevalence of mental illness and in the current scenario they are subject to an intensified task load, especially those who are mothers. What this Study adds? Younger mothers, living in the Northern region of Brazil, using medications, presenting neuropsychiatric diseases, and being little/more or less satisfied with life were the most affected by posttraumatic stress symptoms. Health professionals must be able to identify these symptoms in order to minimize them.