Work

Factors affecting loneliness in pregnant women: A scoping review

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Loneliness during pregnancy is a critical yet overlooked determinant of maternal health, distinct from postpartum depression. While the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted this vulnerability, the mechanisms and typologies of prenatal loneliness remain under-researched. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted following PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Seven databases were searched up to March 15, 2025. Influencing factors were first screened according to the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) framework, followed by thematic analysis. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies were included. Alongside emotional and social loneliness, a context-specific form tied to role transition during matrescence was identified ('transitional loneliness'). The reported prevalence of loneliness varied substantially, ranging from 26.26% to 55.40%. This wide variation likely reflects methodological heterogeneity (e.g., sampling and assessment tools) and population characteristics. Determinants were categorized into individual, interpersonal, community, and societal levels. CONCLUSIONS: Current generic instruments fail to capture the unique transitional nature of prenatal loneliness. Addressing this issue requires developing pregnancy-specific assessment tools and implementing multi-level interventions targeting multi-level socio-ecological factors.

Source: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

DOI: 10.1186/s12884-026-09061-w

Authors: Mengmeng Wang, Hongmei Liu, Wenqian Zhu, Zhiqi Li, Chunyu Li, Lihua Jin

Institutions: Yanbian University, Yanbian University Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum

Subfield: Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,290