The relationship between mental disorders, quality of life, and pregnancy: findings from a nationally representative sample
Abstract
Background The present study examined health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and the prevalence of mental disorders in pregnant and past-year pregnant women compared to non-pregnant women.Method Data came from the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. Three groups of women (ages 18-44) were compared: currently pregnant (n=451), past-year pregnant (n=1061), and not pregnant (n=10,544). Past-year mood, anxiety and substance use disorders were assessed by the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-DSM-IV version. HRQOL was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form (SF-12). All analyses included sociodemographics as covariates.Results Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that pregnant women were less likely than non-pregnant women to have depression and alcohol abuse or dependence; and less likely than past-year pregnant women to have depression and mania. Past-year pregnant women were less likely than non-pregnant women to have social phobia and alcohol dependence or abuse. Multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that pregnant and non-pregnant women had higher mental component scores than past-year pregnant women. Physical component scores were lower in pregnant women than in non-pregnant and past-year pregnant groups.Limitations This was a cross-sectional survey and the causality of relationships cannot be inferred.Conclusions Results suggest that pregnant women have a lower likelihood of mental disorder than both non-pregnant and past-year pregnant women.
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Reported rates of anxiety disorders during pregnancy and postpartum vary widely.
“Rates of anxiety disorders in pregnancy and the postpartum period range widely.”
From Perinatal mental illness: Definition, description and aetiology (2014) · cites this paper as [18]
In a US study, only 1.9% of pregnant women met criteria for generalised anxiety disorder.
“In a US study, however, only 1.9% of pregnant women met criteria for GAD [18].”
From Perinatal mental illness: Definition, description and aetiology (2014) · cites this paper as [18]
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- Authors
- Mota, N., Cox, B. J., Enns, M. W., Calhoun, L., & Sareen, J.
- Affiliations
- University of Manitoba (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Sareen, Jitender
- Venue
- Journal of Affective Disorders
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2008-08
- Volume
- 109
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 300-304
- ISSN
- 0165-0327 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2073229508
- Cited by
- 53
- References
- 24
- Citations by year
- 2025: 2 · 2022: 1 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 2 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 3 · 2015: 3 · 2014: 2 · 2013: 4 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 2.64
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Affective Disorders (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- National Institute on Drug Abuse
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
- Health Sciences › Health Professions › General Health Professions › Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare
- Keywords
- pregnancy, mental illness, health-related quality of life, depression, mania, anxiety disorders, social anxiety disorder, alcoholism, substance use disorders, mood disorders, pregnant women
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Mental Disorders, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Quality of Life, United States, Prevalence, Young Adult
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