The effect of COVID-19 on psychological development, maternal attachment and quality of life in postpartum: A comparative study

Aim: This study aims to determine the effects of COVID-19 on psychological development, maternal attachment and quality of life in postpartum women. Material and Method: The sample of this cross-sectional study was 300 women in Mardin who were COVID-19 positive, negative and contacted. The study was conducted between March 2021 and July 2022. Data were collected through the Personal Information Form, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Maternal Attachment Scale (MAS), and the Quality of Life Scale (SF-12). Statistical analyses included percentage distributions according to the normality test, arithmetic means, standard deviation, chi-square, Kruskal Wallis, t-test in independent groups, and correlation and regression analysis. Results: PTGI total mean score was found to increase only in the COVID-19 (+) group in the 6th month, and the difference between the groups was statistically significant (p<.001). MAS total mean score was found to increase in the 6th month in the COVID-19 (contacted) and COVID-19 (+) groups, and the difference between the groups was found to be statistically significant (p<.001, p<0.005 respectively.) Quality of Life physical and mental components sub-scale mean score was found to decrease in the 6th month in all groups, and all the groups, except for the mental component sub-scale of the COVID-19 (contacted) group, demonstrated significant differences. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic was found to increase mothers' psychological development and maternal attachment and decrease their quality of life. Keywords: COVID-19, maternal attachment, psychological development, postpartum women, quality of life, midwifery