Archives Of Women's Mental Health[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Structural determinants of psychological distress in Black mothers: a comparative analysis of maternal filicide.
Baker BA, Jones A, Smith T
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42159778 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Black maternal filicide is a rare but devastating form of family violence that remains poorly understood within women's mental health research. Existing scholarship has often emphasized individual psychiatric pa...
PURPOSE: Black maternal filicide is a rare but devastating form of family violence that remains poorly understood within women's mental health research. Existing scholarship has often emphasized individual psychiatric pathology while paying less attention to the structural conditions that shape maternal psychological distress, access to care, and opportunities for prevention. This study advances a structural psychological analysis of Black maternal filicide, examining how structural adversity contributes to severe mental health crises. METHODS: Using a qualitative comparative case study design, we examined four highly publicized cases of Black maternal filicide in the United States between 2011 and 2022. Data were drawn from publicly available court records, media reporting, and psychological evaluations where available. Guided by structural determinants of health, structural violence, Black feminist thought, and reproductive justice frameworks, we conducted a cross-case thematic analysis examining maternal psychological symptoms, institutional responses, and post-event narratives. RESULTS: Four interrelated themes emerged: severe psychological distress including depression, dissociation, and psychosis occurring without sustained access to mental health care; socioeconomic precarity, particularly housing instability, that intensified maternal stress; institutional surveillance without meaningful support across child welfare, housing, and mental health systems; and racialized media and legal responses that prioritized punishment over prevention. Across cases, maternal psychological crises unfolded within conditions of cumulative structural adversity and chronic trauma. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that maternal filicide in these cases cannot be understood solely as individual pathology but must also be examined within broader structural environments that shape maternal mental health. Addressing maternal psychological distress requires structural interventions that expand access to mental health care, reduce socioeconomic precarity, and shift institutional responses from surveillance to prevention.
Mental health during pregnancy and postpartum in women with a history of bariatric surgery: A scoping review.
Mokhlesi SS, Vasilevski V, Sweet L
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42154067 · Full text
PURPOSE: With rising bariatric surgery rates, more women of childbearing age are becoming pregnant after bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is often associated with psychological diagnoses. While mental health issues a...
PURPOSE: With rising bariatric surgery rates, more women of childbearing age are becoming pregnant after bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery is often associated with psychological diagnoses. While mental health issues are common during pregnancy and postpartum, the effects of bariatric surgery on mental health during these periods is unclear. This review aimed to collate and synthesise available literature regarding the impact of bariatric surgery on mental health during pregnancy and postpartum. METHODS: The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews framework. A systematic search was conducted across five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Maternity and Infant Care, and Global Health). It included peer-reviewed primary research studies and conference abstracts published in English that reported mental health outcomes of women during pregnancy and postpartum with histories of bariatric surgery. There were no time restrictions for including studies. A narrative synthesis following the Popay et al. framework was performed to summarise and interpret the findings. RESULTS: The available evidence suggest that women who have undergone bariatric surgery may be at increased risk of experiencing depression and anxiety during pregnancy compared to women who have not had bariatric surgery. Factors such as marital status, psychiatric history, and smoking exacerbate these risks. Evidence regarding other mental health disorders and postpartum depression was limited and inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Pre-pregnancy bariatric surgery may increase the risk of mental health challenges during the perinatal period. Mental health assessments should be integrated into antenatal and postnatal care for women with bariatric surgery histories.
Multidimensional psychological and neurophysiological effects of moderate- and low-intensity exercise on pregnant women: an integrative systematic review and Bayesian framework network meta-analysis.
He L, Wang S, Cao Y … +5 more , Wang B, Liu H, Zhang J, Xu F, Jiao J
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42138755 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related mental health disorders are an increasingly important global public health concern. Exercise interventions have gained attention as safe, non-pharmacological strategies for improving materna...
BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related mental health disorders are an increasingly important global public health concern. Exercise interventions have gained attention as safe, non-pharmacological strategies for improving maternal psychological and neurophysiological well-being. However, comparative evidence regarding different exercise modalities and intensities remains limited. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to systematically evaluate and rank the effects of different prenatal exercise modalities and compare moderate- versus low-intensity exercise protocols on maternal mental health and neurophysiological outcomes during pregnancy. METHODS: A Bayesian network meta-analysis was conducted following PRISMA-NMA guidelines. PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Central, and PsycINFO were systematically searched. Thirty-six randomized controlled trials involving 4,577 pregnant participants were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2.0 tool. Treatment effects were ranked using the surface under the cumulative ranking curve method. RESULTS: Moderate-intensity aerobic training showed the strongest effect on reducing prenatal depression, with a SUCRA value of 0.89. Yoga-based interventions were particularly effective for anxiety reduction, with a SUCRA value of 0.76, and ranked second in the overall outcome evaluation, with a SUCRA value of 0.82. Neurophysiological findings indicated that yoga showed the greatest benefit for cortisol regulation, whereas aquatic exercise demonstrated distinctive anti-inflammatory effects. Subgroup analyses suggested that moderate-intensity exercise tended to produce greater reductions in depression, while low-intensity exercise showed comparable or superior effects on anxiety and cortisol modulation. Meta-regression further indicated that interventions conducted three times per week and lasting more than 12 weeks were associated with larger effect sizes. The certainty of evidence ranged from moderate to high across primary comparisons. CONCLUSION: This network meta-analysis provides a preliminary evidence hierarchy for prenatal exercise interventions. Moderate-intensity aerobic exercise may be most beneficial for reducing prenatal depression, while yoga appears particularly suitable for anxiety and cortisol regulation. These findings offer clinicians a reference framework for individualized prenatal exercise recommendations and support the integration of exercise into maternal mental healthcare.
Major depressive disorder attributed to intimate partner violence against women in North Africa and the Middle East: Global Burden of Disease Study.
Amiri S, Khan MA
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42133087 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: Intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Middle East and North Africa represents a significant issue with both clinical and societal implications. This study aimed to highlight the prevalence of major depressiv...
OBJECTIVES: Intimate partner violence (IPV) in the Middle East and North Africa represents a significant issue with both clinical and societal implications. This study aimed to highlight the prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) linked to IPV against women in these regions, using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021. METHODS: The prevalence, incidence, Disability-Adjusted Life Years (DALYs), and Years of Life Lost (YLLs) associated with MDD were analyzed across all ages for the period from 1990 to 2021. DALYs due to MDD specifically attributed to intimate partner violence (IPV) against women were assessed and further broken down by country and age group. Results were presented in absolute counts as well as estimates per 100,000 population, accompanied by a 95% uncertainty interval. RESULTS: The age-standardized prevalence rate of MDD in 2021 was 4,883 per 100,000 population [95% UI: 4,013 to 5,940], marking a 16% change compared to 1990 levels. Over 14 million women in North Africa and the Middle East were affected by MDD and almost 22 million [21,810,159; 95% UI 17,783,296 to 26,732,692] incidence in 2021, this rate of incidence has nearly doubled compared to 1990. Age-standardized DALYs of MDD attributed to IPV in women in 2021 was 102.87 [95% UI 0.42 to 226.38] per 100,000. All ages count estimates of DALYs of MDD attributed to IPV against women was 314,734 [95% UI 1,307 to 692,580] in 2021. The highest age-standardized DALYs of MDD attributed to IPV was in Palestine, 180.74 [95% UI 1.11 to 416.15], followed by Afghanistan [152.62; 95% UI 0.88 to 347.86], and Tunisia [136.03; 95% UI 0.38 to 317.19] per 100,000. DISCUSSION: The findings highlighted a high prevalence of depression in this super region, underscoring the significant burden posed by this mental health condition. Additionally, IPV emerged as a contributing factor to MDD. These insights emphasize the need for health policies that tackle the impact of depressive disorders while addressing the influence of IPV. Therefore it is necessary to move towards preventing the negative consequences of IPV by increasing social awareness.
Letter to the editor: Beyond reductionism in postpartum depression treatment and toward systems-oriented maternal mental health care.
Rupanagunta GP, Nandave M, Pawluski JL … +1 more , Upadhyay J
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42132962 · Publisher ↗
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a heterogeneous mood disorder emerging within the first year after childbirth and shaped by interacting biological, psychological, and social factors. Although treatment is commonly adapted...
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a heterogeneous mood disorder emerging within the first year after childbirth and shaped by interacting biological, psychological, and social factors. Although treatment is commonly adapted from major depressive disorder, the postpartum period represents a distinct and dynamically regulated physiological state. Rapid hormonal withdrawal, neuroendocrine recalibration, immune shifts, and adaptive neuroplastic changes occur concurrently, contributing to variable treatment response and clinical heterogeneity. Viewing PPD as a disorder of systems-level dysregulation has important implications for research and therapy. Single-target pharmacological approaches may have limited effectiveness when multiple interconnected pathways are involved. Interventions capable of modulating interacting physiological systems, including carefully evaluated multi-component and herbal therapies, warrant rigorous investigation. Future research should incorporate biological stratification, biomarker-informed trial designs, postpartum-specific models, and stringent safety evaluation. Advancing systems-oriented research frameworks may support more precise, effective, and biologically coherent therapeutic strategies for maternal mental health.
Maternal depression symptoms as a context for longitudinal changes in the perinatal brain and infant emotion outcomes.
McNamee M, Mistry-Patel S, Peoples S … +1 more , Brooker R
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42126648 · Full text
PURPOSE: Despite theoretical backing, little is known about how contextual factors during pregnancy, which include experiencing increases in symptoms of depression for many women, may affect neural reorganization. We tes...
PURPOSE: Despite theoretical backing, little is known about how contextual factors during pregnancy, which include experiencing increases in symptoms of depression for many women, may affect neural reorganization. We tested within-person stability in a neural process of self-monitoring as a marker of reorganization during pregnancy, whether within-person stability was moderated by maternal depression symptoms, and whether within-person stability had implications for infant postnatal emotion. METHODS: A neural marker of self-monitoring (Error-Related Negativity; ERN) and depression symptoms were assessed in 91 pregnant women. ERN and infant emotion were observed at 4 months postnatal. RESULTS: Perinatal ERN showed high internal consistency and stability at the group level. However, ERN showed greater stability at high than at low levels of depression symptoms. In addition, when levels of depression symptoms were high, greater prenatal ERN predicted more infant fear. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest stability in a neural marker of self-monitoring at high levels of depression symptoms, consistent with a possibility that more adverse contexts restrict neuroplasticity. Neural processes sensitive to a context of depression symptoms may have implications for infant emotion.
Receipt of reproductive safety data among pregnant marijuana users and nonusers.
Ramseyer A, White WR, Brown CC … +5 more , Kennon-McGill S, Miron L, Wells C, Davis K, Ray-Griffith SL
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42126464 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Pregnant patients were surveyed to determine marijuana use, their interest in additional education of the risks marijuana use in pregnancy, and if they had been educated by their providers about these. METHODS:...
PURPOSE: Pregnant patients were surveyed to determine marijuana use, their interest in additional education of the risks marijuana use in pregnancy, and if they had been educated by their providers about these. METHODS: Fisher's exact tests were used to determine significant differences in both demographics and survey answers on provider education between those who used and did not use marijuana during pregnancy. RESULTS: 409 patients were surveyed with 367 completing the survey. 87 participants (23.7%) of those surveyed endorsed marijuana use in their current pregnancy. Significant differences between those who used marijuana and those who did not were seen in race/ethnicity (17.1% among White people versus 38.9% among those of other race/ethnicity; p = 0.017), age (with 33.3% of 18-24 year olds reporting the highest use vs. 0.0% of ≥ 40 year olds reporting the lowest use; p = 0.014) and education level (with those who had not completed high school reporting the highest rates of use, p = 0.001). 15.3% of all respondents received counseling on the risks of marijuana use during pregnancy. Among those who used marijuana, 25.3% received the counseling, compared to 12.1% of those who did not use (p = 0.003). 41.4% of those who used marijuana expressed an interest in additional information on this topic, significantly higher than those who did not use (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: A gap exists in the area, as only 25%of pregnant patients who used marijuana reported receiving counseling, compared to the 41% who stated a desire for additional information. This emphasizes the need for both accessible resources on how marijuana affects both the pregnant mother and infant, as well as education for providers on this gap in care.
Racial differences in diagnosis of perinatal mood and anxiety disorders.
Hall SV, Montoya A, Tilea A … +3 more , Louis D, Zivin K, Dalton VK
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42118394 · Full text
PURPOSE: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) represent a common comorbidity of pregnancy and postpartum with serious consequences. Despite high disease prevalence and burden, PMADs often remain undiagnosed. In r...
PURPOSE: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) represent a common comorbidity of pregnancy and postpartum with serious consequences. Despite high disease prevalence and burden, PMADs often remain undiagnosed. In recent years, universal screening for perinatal mental health disorders has become standard care and most patients are screened at least once during pregnancy or postpartum. Whether racial differences in PMAD diagnosis persist remains unknown. We aimed to measure and assess temporal trends in racial differences in PMAD diagnosis among symptomatic pregnant and postpartum Medicaid enrollees in Michigan. METHODS: This serial cross-sectional observational study analyzed data from the Michigan Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (MI-PRAMS) and Michigan Medicaid administrative claims for deliveries spanning 2016-2020. We linked MI-PRAMS responses to Medicaid claims from one year before through one year after delivery to determine whether enrollees who reported PMAD symptoms to MI-PRAMS received a PMAD diagnosis in Medicaid claims. We used weighted logistic regression to determine the association between race and PMAD diagnosis among Michigan Medicaid enrollees who reported PMAD symptoms. RESULTS: Out of 60,583 Medicaid enrollees with a live birth in Michigan from 2016-2020, 33% were Black and 61% were White. About 70% were between 19-29 years old and 18% were between 30-34 years old. During the perinatal period, 39% had 2 or more co-morbid conditions, and 60% had 2 or more major life stressors. In unadjusted weighted logistic regression, White enrollees had 2.146 times greater odds of PMAD diagnosis than Black enrollees (95% CI: 1.570-2.933). This association remained significant after adjusting for age, ethnicity, co-morbidities, major life stressors, and delivery year. Adjusted weighted logistic regression found that White enrollees had 2.326 times greater odds of PMAD diagnosis than Black enrollees (95% CI: 1.669-3.236). CONCLUSION: White enrollees who reported PMAD symptoms were more than twice as likely to receive a PMAD diagnosis as Black enrollees reporting PMAD symptoms. The magnitude of racial difference in PMAD diagnosis did not improve over the course of the study period. These persistent racial differences are consistent with structural barriers, provider biases, and cultural stigmas that differentially and disproportionately impact non-White patients. Tailored interventions to improve mental health care among Black Medicaid enrollees may be needed to improve PMAD diagnosis, a critical first step in mental health management. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.
Relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life during the menopause transition: a systematic review.
Ahmadi K, Dashti S, Bahri N
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42113329 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Menopausal symptoms are common and can affect all aspects of women's quality of life. While prior systematic reviews have explored menopausal symptoms and QoL, inconsistencies persist, particularly regarding...
BACKGROUND: Menopausal symptoms are common and can affect all aspects of women's quality of life. While prior systematic reviews have explored menopausal symptoms and QoL, inconsistencies persist, particularly regarding symptom severity during the menopausal transition. This review synthesizes evidence to clarify this association. However, controversial findings have been reported on the association between menopausal symptoms and quality of life in post-menopausal women. Therefore, it was decided to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life during the transition to menopause. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, Magiran (a Persian database), and the Google Scholar search engine. Search strategy was designed using Menopause, Quality of life intensity, and menopausal symptoms in English and their Persian synonyms. Studies that evaluated the relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and quality of life in transition to menopause as the main or secondary objective were included in the study. RESULTS: From the 300 primary identified articles, 15 articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for review. This systematic review found a positive relationship between the severity of menopausal symptoms and the quality of life in studies conducted in most regions. However, this relationship was negative in some areas. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study can be used in interventions to improve the quality of life in menopausal women. These findings inform targeted interventions, such as symptom management programs, to enhance QoL in menopausal women globally.
Women with first-episode psychosis: diagnostic stability and clinical trajectories.
Toll A, Jiménez-Fernández B, Pechuán E … +5 more , Motta-Rojas N, Bergé D, Trabsa A, Pérez-Solà V, Mané A
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42105091 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of sex on diagnostic stability in first-episode psychosis during the first year of follow-up. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study of 256 patient...
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the influence of sex on diagnostic stability in first-episode psychosis during the first year of follow-up. METHODS: This was a prospective, observational study of 256 patients with FEP, of whom 188 (73.4%) completed the 1-year follow-up. Patients were consecutively recruited at a specialized early intervention program. Comprehensive psychiatric evaluations and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV-TR Axis I disorders were performed at baseline and follow-up. Diagnoses were grouped into affective and non-affective psychoses. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify predictors of diagnostic shift, with a particular focus on sex. RESULTS: At one-year follow-up, 48.9% of patients experienced some form of diagnostic change. Specifically, 14.4% shifted from non-affective to affective psychosis. Female sex was the only independent predictor of diagnostic shift (OR = 0.30; 95% CI = 0.10-0.87; p = 0.027). No other clinical or demographic variables were significantly associated with diagnostic change. CONCLUSION: Female FEP patients were significantly more likely to experience a diagnostic shift toward affective psychosis during the first year of follow-up. These findings highlight the importance of considering sex differences in clinical presentation at illness onset to improve diagnostic accuracy, optimize treatment strategies, and enhance long-term outcomes.
Who is screened for perinatal mental health? findings from an academic health system in California.
Woofter R, Rao R, Richards M … +1 more , Sudhinaraset M
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42105090 · Full text
PURPOSE: To identify sociodemographic characteristics, prenatal healthcare utilization, and health factors associated with completed mental health screenings during pregnancy and postpartum, respectively. METHODS: We exa...
PURPOSE: To identify sociodemographic characteristics, prenatal healthcare utilization, and health factors associated with completed mental health screenings during pregnancy and postpartum, respectively. METHODS: We examined electronic medical records (EMR) data on documented perinatal mental health screenings from over 6000 patients who delivered singleton infants within one academic healthcare system in California between 2021 and 2023. Dependent variables included having at least one Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) score documented in the EMR during (1) pregnancy and (2) postpartum, among those who completed postpartum care within 12 weeks of delivery. We used univariate frequencies to determine rates of completed screenings and logistic regression models to identify patient characteristics associated with completed screenings in each time period. RESULTS: Overall, 67% of patients completed screenings in pregnancy and 56% completed screenings in postpartum. In pregnancy, patients who were White, multiparous, did not prefer English, began prenatal care in the third trimester, and completed 10 or fewer prenatal care visits each had lower odds of completed screenings than their counterparts. In postpartum, patients who were White, privately insured, had vaginal deliveries, and had term births (at least 37 weeks of gestation) each had lower odds of completed screenings than their counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: Although California law requires perinatal mental health screening in pregnancy and postpartum , the identified inequities in screening suggest additional efforts are needed to ensure all perinatal patients are screened for mental health in accordance with the law. These efforts should be tailored to the populations least likely to be screened in order to achieve universal perinatal mental health screening.
Influences of adverse childhood experiences and weekly pregnancy stress on postpartum mental health symptoms: a machine learning examination.
Nuttall AK, Bogat GA, Grimm KJ … +4 more , Muzik M, Lonstein JS, Martinez-Torteya C, Levendosky AA
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42104989 · Full text
PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to understand how the timing, level, and fluctuation of pregnancy stress affected women's postpartum mental health while also considering their experiences of early life stress (advers...
PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to understand how the timing, level, and fluctuation of pregnancy stress affected women's postpartum mental health while also considering their experiences of early life stress (adverse childhood events; ACEs). We hypothesized that overall stress level, as well as stress during particular pregnancy weeks, would influence postpartum mental health. We further hypothesized that fluctuations in weekly perceived stress levels across pregnancy would influence postpartum mental health among women who had experienced ≥ 4 ACEs. METHODS: We collected information on ACEs and weekly stress data from our participants during pregnancy (15 weeks until parturition). Women's depressive and anxiety symptoms were assessed at six-months postpartum. We employed a machine learning approach to explore the predictive utility of timing, level, and fluctuation of pregnancy stress on postpartum mental health symptoms. RESULTS: For all women, higher average stress level across all weeks of pregnancy predicted greater postpartum depressive and anxiety symptoms. Additionally, women with a history of ≥ 4 ACEs were susceptible to stress levels in weeks 20 of pregnancy (depressive symptoms only) and 26 (depressive and anxiety symptoms). Lastly, greater variability in stress levels across pregnancy was also associated with greater depressive symptoms for the women with ≥ 4 ACES. CONCLUSION: In addition to overall stress level, timing of pregnancy stress and fluctuations in stress levels across pregnancy are associated with postpartum mental health for women with a history of substantial ACEs, with implications for focused mental health interventions during pregnancy for these women.
Women's perceived partner support during the perinatal and early childhood period: changes over time for women with and without Major Depressive Disorder.
Bobevski I, Wynter K, Boyce P … +1 more , Galbally M
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42096054 · Full text
BACKGROUND: Partner support is both an important protective and risk factor for women's mental health perinatally. Although there is likely a bidirectional relationship between support and mental health, a research gap e...
BACKGROUND: Partner support is both an important protective and risk factor for women's mental health perinatally. Although there is likely a bidirectional relationship between support and mental health, a research gap exists in understanding changes in women's experience of partner support over pregnancy and early childhood, and whether this differs for women with Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). This study examines whether women diagnosed with MDD antenatally are at increased risk of deteriorating partner support over the perinatal period, after accounting for demographic effects, ongoing depressive symptoms, stressful life events, and attachment orientation. METHODS: 731 women recruited into a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study, the Mercy Pregnancy Emotional Wellbeing Study, were included, of whom 124 were diagnosed with MDD first trimester using the Structured Clinical Interview for the DSM (SCID). Perceived partner support was measured with the Social Support Effectiveness Questionnaire (SSEQ) in third trimester, 6 and 12 months, and 4 years postpartum. Partner support changes over time were analysed with mixed effects modelling. RESULTS: There was an overall small but significant decline in partner support over time for all women. However, this decline was larger for women with MDD between 12 months and 4 years postpartum. Ongoing depressive symptoms, stressful life events, and insecure attachment orientation contributed to perceptions of lower partner support. CONCLUSIONS: The perinatal and early childhood period poses an increased risk for the partner relationship for all women, but this risk is increased for women with MDD. This knowledge could be translated into identifying vulnerable women and offering appropriate interventions.
Poor mood after oral contraceptive use is associated with increased vulnerability to peripartum depression, premenstrual dysphoric disorder, and higher genetic risk for depression.
Kiewa J, Lind PA, Hickie IB … +6 more , Medland SE, Mitchell BE, Middeldorp CM, Martin NG, Wray NR, Byrne EM
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 May · PMID 42090064 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study tested whether adverse mood effect of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is associated with reproductive depressive episodes, including peripartum depression (PPD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMD...
PURPOSE: This study tested whether adverse mood effect of the oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is associated with reproductive depressive episodes, including peripartum depression (PPD), premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD), and perimenopausal depression. METHOD: In a sample of 3,547 OCP users from the Australian Genetics of Depression Study, who reported a lifetime depression diagnosis, logistic regression was used to test the association of PPD, PMDD, and perimenopausal depression with OCP adverse mood effect. Polygenic scores (PGS) for major depression (MD) were also tested for association with adverse mood effect. Sensitivity analyses tested for modification of these associations by a history of depression prior to first OCP use (prior depression), or by depression onset before the age of twenty (child/teen depression onset). RESULTS: Adverse mood effect was reported by 1,342 OCP users (38%). PPD, PMDD, prior depression and child/teen depression onset were significantly associated with adverse mood effect (PPD: Relative Risk (RR) = 1.66,CI=[1.4-2.0], P = 2.0 × 10; PMDD: RR = 3.78,CI=[2.4-6.0], P = 2.2 × 10; prior depression: RR = 1.32,CI=[1.1-1.5], P = 5.9 × 10; child/teen depression onset: RR = 1.56,CI=[1.3-1.8], P = 1.1 × 10). The association of PPD with adverse mood effect remained significant for women with no prior or child/teen depression onset (RR = 1.77,CI=[1.3-2.4], P = 4.6 × 10), but was not significant for women with both prior and child/teen depression onset. Adverse mood effect was significantly associated with PGS for MD: full sample: RR = 1.18,CI=[1.1-1.3], P = 3.6 × 10); no prior or child/teen depression onset: RR = 1.27,CI=[1.1-1.4], P = 3.1 × 10. CONCLUSIONS: Participants who experience an adverse mood effect with OCP use are likely to have higher genetic vulnerability for depression, and experience child/teen depression onset, as well as reproductive depressive episodes such as PPD.
Distinct scars: unique effects of physical and sexual abuse on mental health outcomes in a gender-specific substance use disorder sample in Brazil from 1998 to 2024.
Gomes MNS, Di Santi T, Wolff L … +9 more , Barbosa SL, Tomazela JV, Mendes ACB, Tótolo P, Jeng Chian Suen P, Santos AAM, Brasiliano S, Hochgraf PB, Bacchi PS
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42059973 · Full text
OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare sociodemographic characteristics, psychopathology, and substance use patterns among women diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) who experienced physical abuse (PA), sexual abuse (SA), or...
OBJECTIVES: (1) To compare sociodemographic characteristics, psychopathology, and substance use patterns among women diagnosed with substance use disorder (SUD) who experienced physical abuse (PA), sexual abuse (SA), or both (PSA); (2) to describe ages of onset; (3) to evaluate the impact of PA, SA, and their interaction on clinical outcomes. METHODS: Observational retrospective study with patients from PROMUD (Drug Dependent Women Treatment Center) in Brazil. Questionnaires at admission assessed sociodemographics, history of SA and PA, substance use, and psychopathology. t-tests and chi-squared tests were used for descriptive statistics. Logistic and linear regressions estimated associations between clinical outcomes and history of SA or PA in crude and adjusted models. The PA–SA interaction was tested. RESULTS: 401 patients were included (1999–2024). Both SA and PA were associated with greater socioeconomic vulnerability and higher non-heterosexual orientation. SA often began in early childhood, PA more often in adolescence. PA was associated with higher odds of cocaine/crack as the main substance of dependence (OR = 2.7, p < 0.001) and lifetime physical aggression (OR = 1.9, p = 0.018). SA was linked to lifetime suicidal ideation (OR = 2.8, p < 0.01) and use of other substances (OR = 2.0, p = 0.041). No significant PA*SA interaction was found. CONCLUSIONS: SA was associated with internalizing patterns, such as suicidal ideation and cannabis/sedative use, whereas PA was linked to externalizing patterns, including physical aggression and cocaine/crack use. These effects were independent, underscoring the need to assess both in women with SUD and to develop gender-sensitive, trauma-informed interventions, particularly where resources are limited.
Inclusion of women in French psychiatric clinical trials: an exploratory study of researchers' experiences and challenges.
Berthet F, Le Jeannic A, Rolland F
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42053673 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Women remain underrepresented in clinical trials despite increasing evidence of sex and gender-related differences. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study based on seven semi-structured interview...
PURPOSE: Women remain underrepresented in clinical trials despite increasing evidence of sex and gender-related differences. METHODS: We conducted an exploratory qualitative study based on seven semi-structured interviews with French psychiatrist-researchers to examine how women’s inclusion in clinical trials is perceived and managed. RESULTS: Participants described precautionary exclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding women, organizational constraints related to umbrella protocols, and indirect communication with Research Ethics Committees. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that women’s underrepresentation may be shaped by precautionary practices and institutional structures rather than explicit opposition to inclusion.
An online intervention targeting intimate partner violence in perinatal women with recent mental health care utilization: a multisite randomized clinical trial.
Johnson DM, Sen A, Chen D … +5 more , Countryman K, Muzik M, Joseph B, Wernette GT, Zlontick C
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42024207 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the efficacy of an online intervention targeting intimate partner violence (IPV) in perinatal women, trength for in elationship mpowerment (SURE), relative to an attention, time, and inform...
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the efficacy of an online intervention targeting intimate partner violence (IPV) in perinatal women, trength for in elationship mpowerment (SURE), relative to an attention, time, and information-matched control, on IPV severity, positive affect and well-being, and perceived emotional support across a 12-month follow-up. METHODS: Perinatal women ( = 122) who reported past 12-month IPV and recently engaged in mental health treatment were randomized to SURE ( = 65) or control ( = 57). SURE participants received a 40-minute online intervention based in motivational interviewing and empowerment. Control participants viewed a 40-minute online video of popular entertainment, followed by questions about preferences. Both conditions also included a brief 10-15-minute telephone-delivered booster session one month after the online session. Follow-up assessments occurred at 6 weeks, and 3-, 6-, and 12-months since the baseline visit. RESULTS: Both interventions exhibited a significant drop in IPV severity from baseline to 12-month follow-up, with no significant differences between arms (range of standardized effect sizes for the time by group interaction 0.20–1.65). Significant intervention effects were found for both positive affect and well-being (range of standardized effect sizes for the time by group interaction = -0.04-1.62) and perceived emotional support (range of standardized effect sizes for the time by group interaction = 0.65–2.10), where participants in SURE exhibited significant increases in both outcomes, while control participants did not. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that SURE provides a good model for an online intervention for perinatal women who have sought mental health services.
Psychometric properties and validation of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) in Mexican mothers.
Palacios-Hernández B, Cruz-Alaniz Y, Austria-Corrales F … +6 more , Sánchez-Aviléz C, Martínez-Rodríguez MS, Téllez-Alanís B, Rivera-Rivera L, Séris-Martínez M, Harmony T
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42014588 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Mother-infant bonding disorders have the potential to impact infant development and maternal mental health during the perinatal period. In Mexico, the limited information regarding their prevalence is associated...
PURPOSE: Mother-infant bonding disorders have the potential to impact infant development and maternal mental health during the perinatal period. In Mexico, the limited information regarding their prevalence is associated with the absence of validated instruments for their detection. The Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) is one of the most widely used instruments internationally, although it reports high psychometric heterogeneity depending on the context. The objective of this study was to adapt and evaluate the psychometric properties of a Mexican version of the PBQ (PBQ-Mx) and to establish its sensitivity and specificity in Mexican mothers. METHODS: The PBQ-Mx was administered to 455 women in the first postpartum year. A Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) and an Item Response Theory (IRT) analysis were performed. A ROC curve analysis was also performed on a subsample of 134 mothers with a clinical diagnosis of the quality of mother-infant bonding using the Stafford Interview to determine sensitivity, specificity, and a cut-off point. RESULTS: The original 25-item structure of the PBQ was confirmed, exhibiting good overall reliability (α = 0.82, Ω = 0.86), though factor 3 (infant-focused anxiety) demonstrated low reliability. IRT analysis confirmed the validity of the theoretical model. The prevalence of mother-infant bonding disorders was 7%. The cut-off point of ≥ 12 demonstrated a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 88% (AUC = 0.980). CONCLUSIONS: The PBQ-Mx demonstrated psychometric properties that support its use as a valid and reliable tool for the early detection and research of mother-infant bonding difficulties in the Mexican postpartum population.
Potentially traumatic experiences and mental health among asylum-seeking women of reproductive age: The significance of sexual violence and contextual risk factors.
Majlander S, Kinnunen TI, Lilja E … +3 more , Castaneda AE, Skogberg N, Koponen P
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 42012701 · Full text
PURPOSE: Asylum-seeking women are often exposed to potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs), such as various forms of psychological and physical violence. This study examines women’s current mental health by assessing de...
PURPOSE: Asylum-seeking women are often exposed to potentially traumatic experiences (PTEs), such as various forms of psychological and physical violence. This study examines women’s current mental health by assessing depressive and anxiety symptoms, symptoms indicating psychological trauma, and associated contextual factors. METHODS: This study utilized data from the Asylum Seekers Health and Wellbeing Survey conducted in Finland in 2018. Women aged 18 to 50 years (n = 278) were included in the analysis and grouped by region of birth. PTEs were assessed using questions adapted from the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire. The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 was used to detect depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms, and symptoms indicating psychological trauma were screened using the PROTECT Questionnaire. RESULTS: Women who had experienced sexual violence had significantly higher odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms (OR = 6.33, 95% CI:2.86–14.05) compared to those who had not. Younger age (18–29 years) was also associated with higher odds of depressive and anxiety symptoms (OR = 2.07, 95% CI:1.10–3.89). Sexual violence (OR = 4.71, 95% CI:1.99–11.17), other PTEs (OR = 3.13, 95% CI:1.46–6.73), not having children (OR = 2.22, 95% CI:1.12–4.41) or ≥ 3 births (OR = 3.62, 95% CI:1.43–9.14), multilingualism (OR = 2.37, 95% CI:1.23–4.55), and being born in the Middle East and North Africa (OR = 2.42, 95% CI:1.19–4.95) were associated with symptoms indicating psychological trauma. CONCLUSION: Sexual violence and other traumatic experiences, along with contextual factors, significantly elevate the risk of mental health problems among asylum-seeking women.
Conference Supplement- 10 World Congress of Women's Mental Health, March 2025,Bengaluru, India.
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Apr · PMID 41986574 · Publisher ↗
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