Anxiety Disorders During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Goodman, Janice H.; Chenausky, Kerry L.; Freeman, Marlene P.

doi:10.4088/jcp.14r09035

Cited by 258Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and PostpartumAnxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive ProcessesPregnancy-related medical research

Anxiety Disorders During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

Goodman, Janice H., Chenausky, Kerry L., Freeman, Marlene P.·2014·The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry

DOI 10.4088/jcp.14r09035

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Abstract

Objective To systematically evaluate the literature on anxiety disorders during pregnancy. Data sources MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were searched through October 2013 for original research studies published in English using combinations of the terms pregnancy, prenatal, or pregnancy outcomes; anxiety disorder; and generalized anxiety. Reference lists of included studies were hand-searched and a PubMed search for in-process reports was conducted. Study selection Relevant studies of anxiety disorders during pregnancy as determined by diagnostic interview were included if they reported on prevalence; course, onset, and/or risk factors; maternal, obstetric, or fetal/child outcomes; and/or treatment trial results. Data extraction Two reviewers independently extracted relevant data and assessed methodological quality of each study. Results Fifty-seven reports were included. Reports provided information on panic disorder (25 reports), generalized anxiety disorder (17 reports), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) (23 reports), agoraphobia (6 reports), specific phobia (10 reports), social phobia (14 reports), posttraumatic stress disorder (14 reports), and any anxiety disorder (18 reports). Twenty reports provided information on prevalence, 16 on course, 10 on risk factors, and 22 on outcomes. Only 1 treatment study was identified. High anxiety disorder prevalence in pregnancy was found; however, estimates vary considerably, and evidence is inconclusive as to whether prevalence amon…

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Effective psychological interventions for treating prenatal anxiety are lacking.
“Effective psychological interventions for treating prenatal anxiety are lacking (Goodman et al., 2014).”
From Exposure Therapy Acceptability Among Pregnant Latinas With Anxiety: A Qualitative Content Analysis (2025) · cites this paper as Goodman et al., 2014

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“, 2008), but studies seldom distinguish women with a prior history of an anxiety or depressive disorder from cases who are affected for the first time during peripartum period (Altshuler et al., 1998; Buist et al., 2011; Cohen et al., 1996; Goodman et al. 2014; Micali et al., 2011; Ross and McLean, 2006).”
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“bias Conclusion Abalos (31) 2013 Adler (54) 2012 Adler (32) 2013 Banura (61) 2013 Buckley (13) 2012 Calvert (29) 2012 Carroli (30) 2008 Cerruto (4) 2013 Cheung (55) 2011 Chico (27) 2012 Conde-Agudelo (25) 2009 Cowgill (40) 2015 Cresswell (44) 2013 Drake (36) 2014 Einarson (23) 2013 Frati (56) 2013 Goodman (28) 2014 Go…”
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“The frequency of anxiety in our study is much higher than the one in previous similar studies (4, 8).”
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“focused on depression [18, 19], but recent evidence”
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Risk Factors for Prenatal Anxiety in European Women: A Review
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“…previous reviews have analyzed risk factors of prenatal anxiety combined with depression [32], have focused exclusively on the risk factors associated with the different anxiety disorders [33], or gathered information on risk factors regardless of the country from which the study originates [34].”
Effects of needs-based education for prenatal anxiety in advanced multiparas: a randomized controlled trial
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Postpartum Mothers’ Mental Health in a Conflict-Affected Region: A Cross-Sectional Study of Emotion Regulation and Social Support
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“The prevalence of anxiety among postpartum women ranges from 12.2% to 39%, markedly higher than rates observed in the general population [3].”
Influential
Immersive Virtual Reality eHealth Intervention to Reduce Anxiety and Depression in Pregnant Women: Randomized Controlled Trial
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Authors: Goodman, J. H., Chenausky, K. L., & Freeman, M. P.
Affiliations: MGH Institute of Health Professions (US)
ORCID: Goodman, Janice H.
Freeman, Marlene P.
Venue: The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry
Publisher: Physicians Postgraduate Press, Inc
Published: 2014-10-28
Volume: 75
Issue: 10
Pages: e1153-e1184
ISSN: 0160-6689 (ISSN-L)
DOI: 10.4088/jcp.14r09035
OpenAlex: W2037891682
Cited by: 258
References: 0
Citations by year: 2026: 5 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 18 · 2020: 15 · 2019: 30 · 2018: 18 · 2017: 77 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 19
FWCI: 35.67
Type: journal article
Language: en
Open access: closed
Locations: The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics: Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Pregnancy-related medical research
Keywords: anxiety disorders, pregnancy, prenatal anxiety, panic disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, agoraphobia, specific phobia, social anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, prevalence, clinical course, risk factors, maternal outcomes, fetal outcomes, treatment in pregnancy
MeSH terms: Anxiety Disorders, Female, Humans, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Complications

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Anxiety Disorders During Pregnancy: A Systematic Review

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