This study investigated the impact of COVID-19 social restrictions on postpartum mood among women of varying socioeconomic statuses (SES) in New York City. Using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), 516 postpartum patients were screened. While no initial SES differences were found, post-restriction analysis revealed significantly improved mood among lower SES patients, contrasting with no change in higher SES patients. This suggests that pandemic-related restrictions, by ameliorating childcare, support, and work demands, may have unexpectedly benefited lower SES mothers. The study highlights the need for health policies addressing the work-family-childcare balance for low SES postpartum women.

Michael E. Silverman, Laudy Burgos, Zoe I. Rodriguez, Omara Afzal, Alyssa Kalishman, Francesco Callipari, Yvon Pena, Ruth Gabay, Holly Loudon