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Background Childbirth is combined with emotional challenges and individual anxiety. Unexpected birth experiences can trigger stress reactions and even post-traumatic stress disorders. Aim of the study The aim of the study was the qualitative evaluation of stressful perceived birth experiences and desired interventions.Methods A content-analytic evaluation of 117 free-text answers was conducted regarding stressful birth experiences and desired interventions using categories and frequencies in relation to birth mode.Findings Five themes emerged from the structured free text analysis: 1) Stressful experiences describing fear concerning the child and separation from the child after an emergency caesarean section; 2) Inadequate communication after an operative vaginal birth and unplanned caesarean section; 3) Feelings of failure and guilt after unplanned birth modes; 4) Helplessness with loss of personal control and the feeling of being at the mercy after an emergency caesarean section; 5) Inadequate support due to the absence of empathy or insufficient care. Expected interventions include immediate debriefing and professional psychological support.Conclusion Women-centered communication during childbirth and debriefing of stressful birth experiences are significant interventions for strengthening maternal well-being and mental health. They can have a positive impact on the development of a healthy mother-child relationship., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: The COVID-19 pandemic requires numerous measures to protect against infection, such as contact reduction and adherence to hygiene and social distancing rules. The former leads to mental disorders (possibly requiring treatment) due to social isolation, the latter require adaptation in the implementation of medical therapies. With overall limited therapy capacities, the use of digital (health) applications can be of particular importance in the therapy of chronic and psychological diseases in particular. The present study investigates which health apps are being used by people with mental health problems., Methods: 1,060 insured persons in preparation for psychosomatic rehabilitation measures were surveyed by means of an online questionnaire. Descriptive analyses, frequency analyses, and analyses of variance with post-hoc tests and correlation analyses were used for evaluation., Results: Participants used on average three apps; the most common topics were "nutrition" (n=313), "self-diagnosis" (n=244) and "relaxation" (n=234). Female participants were more likely to use apps than male participants, and younger participants were more likely to use apps than older participants. Symptoms of anxiety were correlated to the use of digital applications, especially concerning heart rate and blood pressure monitoring, while depressive symptoms were not associated with a more frequent use of apps., Discussion: Digital apps are being frequently used by people with mental health problems. Increasing acceptance of digital (health) apps has significant potential in the treatment of chronic mental illness in particular. The focus should be on individual applications with integration into the regular care process., Conclusion: Increasing digitalization, also in the healthcare sector, can be used to ensure care, especially in times of contact restrictions and limited human resources., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic requires containment measures such as contact restrictions and hygiene requirements. It is accompanied by psychological problems and the fear of infection or of a severe course of the disease. This paper examines the relationship between fear of infection and adherence to rules of hygiene as well as the utilization of medical services., Methods: 1005 patients (20-79 years, 626=62.4% female) were interviewed by online questionnaire before starting a psychosomatic rehabilitation program. Data are presented descriptively and analysed by variance analyses., Results: 68.6% were rarely/sometimes afraid and 17.9% were always afraid of contracting coronavirus or of a severe course of the disease. Those who were afraid intended to wash their hands more frequently (97.2%) than those who were not afraid. Regardless of any change in their physical and mental health status, participants felt it to be risky to seek medical care., Conclusion: The intention to follow hygiene rules in people with pre-existing mental illness depends on a fear of infecting oneself or others with the coronavirus or of contracting a severe form of the disease. Especially mentally or psychosomatically affected individuals need to be informed adequately about the coronavirus and the necessary individual protective measures in order to reduce resistance and to increase willingness to seek medical help., Competing Interests: Die Autorinnen/Autoren geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)