Perinatal Depressive Symptoms among Pregnant Employees in Taiwan

This was a longitudinal study of perinatal depressive symptoms among females employed in a large electronics manufacturer in Taiwan, conducted from August 2015 through October 2016. We used questionnaires to collect data on perceived job strain, social support, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) scores at three perinatal time-points (pregnancy, delivery, and return to the workplace). Of the 153 employees who agreed to participate, 82 completed the three stages. The prevalence of perinatal depressive symptoms for the three stages was 13.7%, 16.8%, and 15.9%, respectively. The incidence at 3 weeks after childbirth and 1 month after returning to the workplace was 11.0% and 6.8%, respectively. During the third trimester of pregnancy, sleep problems (odds ratio [OR] = 6.2, 95% confidence Interval [95% CI] = 2.1-19.3), perceived job strain (OR = 4.4, 95% CI = 1.5-14.3), and lack of support from family or friends (OR = 7.0, 95% CI = 1.3-40.8) were significant risk factors. Sleep problems (OR = 6.0, 95% CI = 1.7-23.5) and lack of support from family or friends (OR = 27.6, 95% CI = 4.1-322.3) were associated with an increased risk of perinatal depressive symptoms at 3 weeks after childbirth. After returning to the workplace, perceived job strain (OR = 18.2, 95% CI = 2.2-435.7) was a significant risk factor. These findings could provide insight about early symptom detection, and more studies to clarify the association would be worthwhile.

Association between maternity harassment and depression during pregnancy amid the COVID-19 state of emergency

OBJECTIVES

Maternity harassment, known in English as pregnancy discrimination, remains prevalent in developed countries. However, research examining the mental health effects of maternity harassment is lacking. We aimed to examine the association between maternity harassment and depression during pregnancy in Japan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional Internet survey was conducted on 359 pregnant employees (including women who were working at the time their pregnancy was confirmed) from May 22 to May 31, 2020, during which time a COVID-19 state of emergency was declared. Maternity harassment was defined as being subjected to any of the 16 adverse treatments prohibited by national guidelines. Depression was defined as a score of ≥9 on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (Japanese version). Logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

Overall, 24.8% of the pregnant employees had experienced maternity harassment by supervisors and/or colleagues. After adjusting for demographics, pregnancy status, work status, and fear of COVID-19, pregnant employees who experienced maternity harassment were more likely to have depression than those who did not (odds ratio 2.48, 95% confidential interval 1.34-4.60). This association was not influenced by whether they were teleworking or not as a COVID-19 measure.

CONCLUSIONS

One quarter of pregnant employees experienced maternity harassment and had a higher prevalence of depression than those who did not. Being physically away from the office through teleworking may not reduce the effect of maternal harassment on depression. To protect the mental health and employment of pregnant women, employers should comply with the laws and take measures to prevent maternity harassment.