Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors in Pregnant Women Attending the Emergency Obstetrics Clinic

Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology, Early View

Published Online: 03 July 2026, Doi:10.35365/ctjpp.26.3.11

RESEARCH ARTICLE / ARAŞTIRMA YAZISI

Prevalence of Depression and Associated Factors in Pregnant Women Attending the Emergency Obstetrics Clinic

Acil Kadın Doğum Polikliniğine Başvuran Gebelerde Depresyon Sıklığı ve Etkileyen Faktörler

Öznur Ak¹ , Kerime Derya Beydağ² , Nursel Alp Dal³

Abstract:

The goal of this descriptive study was to assess the prevalence of depression among pregnant women attending the emergency obstetrics clinic and to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic, obstetric, and social-life characteristics and depression levels. The study was conducted at the University of Health Sciences Sarıyer Hamidiye Etfal Training and Research Hospital between June 6, 2025, and August 1, 2025. The study population comprised 720 pregnant women, and the sample consisted of 251 volunteer pregnant women selected at random. Data were collected using a researcher-developed questionnaire and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). The mean BDI score was 10.65 ± 7.02. The vast majority of pregnant women exhibited mild depressive symptoms. While no significant differences were found between depression and educational level, attendance at childbirth preparation courses, or number of pregnancies, significant associations were identified between depression and economic status, type of marriage, whether the pregnancy was planned, the belief that social life would be restricted, a perceived negative impact on sexual life, deterioration in relationships with the spouse, and exposure to verbal violence (p < 0.05). Depression during pregnancy is a major public health problem and is shaped by multifactorial influences. It is recommended that psychosocial assessments be integrated into antenatal follow-up, that at-risk groups be identified early, and that appropriate counseling services be provided. Depression screening should be conducted during routine obstetric follow-ups, and pregnant women in high-risk groups should receive psychosocial support and social service support.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Depression, Beck Depression Inventory, Risk factors, Emergency obstetrics.

¹Mengücek Gazi Training and Research Hospital, Erzincan, Türkiye.

²Yalova University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Yalova, Türkiye.

³Munzur University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Midwifery, Tunceli, Türkiye.

Address of Correspondence/Yazışma Adresi: Kerime Derya Beydağ, Yalova University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, Yalova, Türkiye. E-mail: [email protected].

Date of Received/Geliş Tarihi: 25.09.2025, Date of Revision/Düzeltme Tarihi: 30.03.2026, Date of Acceptance/Kabul Tarihi: 22.04.2026, Date of Online Publication/Çevirimiçi Yayın Tarihi: 03.07.2026

Citing/Referans Gösterimi: Ak, Ö., Beydağ, K. D. & Dal, N. A. (2026). Prevalence of depression and associated factors in pregnant women attending the emergency obstetrics clinic, Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry & Psychology, 1-7, Doi:10.35365/ctjpp.26.3.11

© 2026 The Author(s). Published by Cyprus Mental Health Institute / Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology (www.ktppdergisi.com). This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license which permits use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/