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https://doi.org/10.20471/acc.2025.64.03.05

The Combined Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic and the Earthquake in Zagreb on the Psychological and Social Life of Pregnant Women

Ivka Djaković ; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Hrvojka Soljačić-Vraneš ; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Ana Benčić ; Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia
Helen Marie Chiddenton ; School of Medicine, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia *
Hrvojka Kuna ; School of Medicine, University of Split, Split, Croatia
Anamarija Bogović ; Department of Psychiatry, Sestre milosrdnice University Hospital Center, Zagreb, Croatia; Catholic University of Croatia, Zagreb

* Dopisni autor.

Sažetak

Background: We investigated the influence of the earthquake that occurred in Zagreb
in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of pregnant women.
Aim: The aim of this study was to examine differences and correlations between depression, anxiety
and stress levels, as well as the overall quality of life and the four domains of quality of life (physical
health, psychological health, social relationships and environment) between pregnant women who experienced
the earthquake and pregnant women who did not.
Methods and Results: The study included a total of 122 pregnant women who filled out our questionnaire.
Pregnant women who experienced the earthquake had higher levels of anxiety, depression
and stress. The overall quality of life of women who did not experience the earthquake was higher. A
Mann-Whitney test was performed to examine these differences. Spearman’s correlation coefficients
were calculated to examine correlations between depression, anxiety, stress, overall quality of life and the
four domains of quality of life.
Conclusion: Since pregnant women are a vulnerable group in our society, experiencing major stressful
life events like pandemics and earthquakes can contribute to their sensitivity and fragility. We hope that
our study leads to a better understanding of the psychological, social and physical health of pregnant
women.

Ključne riječi

stress; pregnancy; mental health; support

Hrčak ID:

342743

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/342743

Datum izdavanja:

30.9.2025.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

Posjeta: 502 *