Impact of social connections during pregnancy on maternal and infant health during COVID-19

Prenatal Social Connection and Disruption During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Effects on Maternal and Infant Health

NIH-funded research University of Southern California · NIH-11234396

This study is looking at how the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the social connections of pregnant women and their partners, and how that might affect their mental health and their baby's health, so if you're expecting a baby during this time, your experiences could help us understand these important relationships better!

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Southern California NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES)
Project IDNIH-11234396 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the social connections of pregnant women and their partners, which may influence their mental health and the health of their infants. By examining the experiences of 710 expectant parents, the study looks at the relationship between social support and various health outcomes, including stress levels, postpartum mood disorders, and infant development. Participants will provide information about their social support and feelings of connectedness during pregnancy, and researchers will follow up with them after childbirth to assess long-term effects. The study also incorporates medical data from hospital records to evaluate birth outcomes.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are pregnant women and their partners who are experiencing the effects of social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Not a fit: Patients who are not currently pregnant or who have already given birth prior to the pandemic may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support systems for pregnant women, enhancing maternal and infant health outcomes.

How similar studies have performed: Other research has shown that social support during pregnancy is crucial for positive health outcomes, indicating that this approach is grounded in established findings.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Affective DisordersAnxiety Disorders
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.