Archives Of Women's Mental Health[JOURNAL]
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200 papers
Peripartum predictors of postpartum dyspareunia: a longitudinal observational cohort study.
Padoa A, Tomashev R, Brenner I … +6 more , Fligelman T, Golan A, Igawa MS, Lurie BAI, Talmon A, Ginzburg K
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41569307 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: To assess postpartum changes in dyspareunia, and to explore the prediction of postpartum dyspareunia by obstetrical outcomes and peripartum emotional reactions. METHODS: In this longitudinal observational study,...
PURPOSE: To assess postpartum changes in dyspareunia, and to explore the prediction of postpartum dyspareunia by obstetrical outcomes and peripartum emotional reactions. METHODS: In this longitudinal observational study, postpartum women were recruited at the maternity ward of a single medical center (T1) two days postpartum, during April 2018-August 2020. Participants filled questionnaires addressing demographic and reproductive background, pre-partum dyspareunia, pain during labor, peripartum dissociation, sense of control and birth-induced acute stress disorder (ASD). Three months postpartum (T2), participants who reported resuming sexual activity filled questionnaires addressing dyspareunia, breastfeeding and depression. Obstetrical information was obtained from clinical records. RESULTS: At T1, we recruited 440 participants, among whom 240 (54%) reported resuming sexual activity at T2 and filled the dyspareunia questionnaire at both times. At T2, 52 (21.7%) women reported dyspareunia. Thirty-four (14.2%) women experienced new-onset dyspareunia, 18 (7.5%) had persistent dyspareunia, and 23 (9.6%) reported dyspareunia resolution. ASD symptoms at T1 predicted dyspareunia severity at T2 (B = 0.59, SE = 0.28, p = 0.004). Women with persistent dyspareunia reported greater dyspareunia severity, more dissociation, birth-induced ASD, lower sense of control during labor. At T2, nineteen (59.4%) women with new-onset dyspareunia reported breastfeeding vs. four (22.2%) women with persistent dyspareunia (p = 0.02). CONCLUSION: We observed an association between negative peripartum experiences and postpartum dyspareunia. This finding highlights the importance of incorporating sexual history into prenatal care. Improving obstetric practices enhancing women's control during childbirth and early detection of ASD symptoms, could lead to interventions reducing postpartum dyspareunia.
Perceived social support and anxiety among mothers of infants: the mediation and moderation role of self-compassion.
Zhang C, Zhao M, Shang B … +1 more , Ji L
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41563577 · Publisher ↗
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived social support and anxiety among mothers of infants. Further, it explored the mediating and moderating role of self-compassion in the relationshi...
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the relationship between perceived social support and anxiety among mothers of infants. Further, it explored the mediating and moderating role of self-compassion in the relationship between perceived social support and anxiety among mothers of infants. METHODS: Using a convenience sampling approach recruited 272 mothers of infants. They completed a set of surveys evaluating demographic characteristics, perceived social support, self-compassion and anxiety. RESULTS: Correlation analysis revealed that both perceived social support and self-compassion were negatively correlated with anxiety, while perceived social support was positively correlated with self-compassion. Path analysis results showed a negative association between perceived social support and anxiety. Additionally, self-compassion played a mediating role between perceived social support and anxiety, while also playing a potential moderating effect within this pathway. CONCLUSIONS: Perceived social support could negatively effect on anxiety in mothers of infants through the mediating role of self-compassion. Compared to mothers with low self-compassion, mothers with high self-compassion showed a reduced negative effect of perceived social support on anxiety. This study revealed the relationship between perceived social support and anxiety, along with the mediating and potential moderating mechanisms of self-compassion, which provided theoretical and practical insights for alleviating anxiety in mothers of infants.
Psychometric properties of the Urdu version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ): a validation study among mothers with prenatal anxiety symptoms in Pakistan.
Islam MS, Park S, Malik A … +5 more , Atif N, Osborne LM, Perin J, Rahman A, Surkan PJ
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41555059 · Full text
PURPOSE: Mother-infant bonding is crucial for the child's development and the parent's well-being, but research in this area in low- and middle-income countries is rare. We sought to evaluate the psychometric properties...
PURPOSE: Mother-infant bonding is crucial for the child's development and the parent's well-being, but research in this area in low- and middle-income countries is rare. We sought to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Urdu version of the Postpartum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ) among women with prenatal anxiety symptoms in Pakistan. METHODS: This validation study used cross-sectional data within the context of a large randomized clinical trial, called Happy Mother, Healthy Baby (HMHB), conducted from April 2019 to October 2022 among women with at least mild prenatal anxiety symptoms receiving antenatal care from a large tertiary care hospital in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), and analysis of convergent validity were performed. RESULTS: The analysis included 720 mothers with a mean age of 25.23 years (SD = 4.61). The EFA suggested that 19 items (the five-factor model) out of 25 original items (the four-factor model) provided a good fit for the data, explaining a total variance of 64.7%. The CFA demonstrated poor fit for the four-factor model, but acceptable fit for the five-factor model of the PBQ (i.e., Love and affection [eight-item], Rejection [four-item], Withdrawal [two-items], Anger [three-items], and Irritation [two-items]) (CFI = 0.94, TLI = 0.93, RMSEA = 0.07, SRMR = 0.04), with good reliability (ordinal alpha = 0.71-0.93). A moderate positive correlation between impaired bonding and depressive symptoms supported convergent validity; and a negative correlation between impaired bonding and maternal-infant responsiveness supported convergent validity. Potential limitations are that test-retest validity and cutoff specification were not carried out. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that the 19-item Urdu version of the PBQ is valid and reliable to assess postpartum bonding among Pakistani women with prenatal anxiety symptoms.
Exploring the relationship between food insecurity and postpartum depression: A scoping review.
Stone BS, Amiri A
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41549125 · Publisher ↗
BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects a significant proportion of birthing people worldwide, with rising rates in the United States. Food insecurity, a recognized social determinant of health, has been independ...
BACKGROUND: Postpartum depression (PPD) affects a significant proportion of birthing people worldwide, with rising rates in the United States. Food insecurity, a recognized social determinant of health, has been independently associated with adverse maternal and child outcomes. Although individual studies have examined links between food insecurity and PPD, the evidence base is fragmented, with variation in populations studied, measurement tools, and conceptual approaches. OBJECTIVE: This scoping review examined the relationship between food insecurity and postpartum depression (PPD), synthesizing available evidence to inform research, clinical practice, and policy. METHODS: Guided by the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the PRISMA-ScR checklist, a systematic search of PubMed, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Scopus, and GreenFILE were searched for peer-reviewed, English-language primary studies. RESULTS: Twenty studies met inclusion criteria (18 quantitative, 2 qualitative), with six conducted in the United States and 14 in other countries. Nineteen of 20 studies demonstrated an association between food insecurity and PPD. However, diversity in measurement tools and study designs limited comparability. Most studies used symptom-based screening rather than diagnostic criteria, and few applied the validated tools currently recommended by ACOG and USPSTF. While findings consistently indicate food insecurity as a significant correlate of PPD, the directionality of the relationship remains unclear, and existing measures often overlook physical access to food. CONCLUSION: The evidence indicates a robust association between food insecurity and PPD across diverse populations, though methodological limitations constrain interpretation. Future research should prioritize standardized PPD measures, explore causal and bidirectional pathways, and integrate physical access to food into food insecurity assessment. Clinically, integrating food insecurity screening with PPD screening could strengthen early detection. Policy strategies that reduce economic and geographic barriers to food access may play a critical role in mitigating PPD risk.
Is anybody out there? Tackling intimate partner violence as a hidden pandemic during COVID times and beyond: factors, impact, and recommendations, a systematic review and meta-analyses.
Heidler P, Dam L, King I … +9 more , Hamza N, Abdeljawad MM, Alaraby D, Fahlevi M, Anjum T, Marzo RR, Wagner M, Bhattacharya S, Chahal P
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41545629 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Intimate partner violence is a pervasive issue deeply affecting public health, and its escalation during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised serious concerns. While the escalating impact of intimate partner violenc...
PURPOSE: Intimate partner violence is a pervasive issue deeply affecting public health, and its escalation during the COVID-19 pandemic has raised serious concerns. While the escalating impact of intimate partner violence during the COVID-19 pandemic has been widely acknowledged, there remains a need for a comprehensive systematic review that synthesizes existing literature. This review seeks to address this gap by providing an inclusive assessment of the global landscape of intimate partner violence during and after the pandemic, thereby informing more effective prevention and intervention strategies. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted on PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases using different MeSH terms. A total of 445 relevant articles were identified initially, and after thorough screening, 54 articles were included in the review. RESULTS: The lockdown had several negative consequences, including job losses, economic vulnerability, and health issues due to prolonged loneliness and uncertainty. An increase in emergency hotline or Women's Helpline calls was observed. Globally, intimate partner violence surged during the lockdown and persisted into 2023, causing severe and lasting health, psychological, and reproductive consequences for victims. Our results showed that COVID-19 increased the risk of partner violence: post-COVID intimate partner violence risk greater than pre-COVID risk (0.33 vs. 0.28, respectively). CONCLUSION: Although COVID-19 increased the risk of intimate partner violence, this review also stresses a high global prevalence of intimate partner violence, not restricted to the pandemic and lockdowns. To prevent partner violence and reduce long-lasting severe health, psychological, and reproductive consequences of partner violence, broad cooperation between governments, communities, health professionals, and the media is necessary.
Onset and exacerbation of obsessive-compulsive disorder in the perinatal period.
Samuels J, Kimmel M, Krasnow J … +6 more , Musci R, Nestadt PS, Osborne LM, Storch EA, Abramowitz JS, Nestadt G
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41540218 · Full text
PURPOSE: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can emerge during pregnancy and the postpartum and may adversely affect mother and newborn. However, little is known about potential risk factors for the onset of OCD in the p...
PURPOSE: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) can emerge during pregnancy and the postpartum and may adversely affect mother and newborn. However, little is known about potential risk factors for the onset of OCD in the perinatal period. Therefore, we investigated the onset of diagnosed DSM-5 OCD in women followed from the second trimester of pregnancy to 6-months postpartum. METHODS: We followed 256 women from the 20-24th week of pregnancy to 6-month postpartum. Participants had psychiatric diagnostic interviews at baseline and 6-month postpartum and completed self-report instruments. We compared women with and without incident OCD on sociodemographic characteristics and clinical features. RESULTS: Of the 143 participants without past or current OCD at baseline, 12 (8.4%) were diagnosed with DSM-5 OCD at 6-month postpartum. The incident cases had a broad range of types of obsessions and compulsions. Compared to those who did not develop OCD, the incident cases were significantly less likely to be married, to have a college degree, or have an annual household income above $50,000, and they were more likely to be receiving public assistance and to have an unplanned pregnancy. The incident cases also had significantly higher mean scores on measures of obsessional beliefs, anxiety, and perceived stress. CONCLUSIONS: A considerable proportion of pregnant women have onset of OCD during pregnancy and the postpartum, with multiple types of obsessions and compulsions. Socioeconomic circumstances, and cognitive and psychological vulnerabilities, may increase the risk of developing OCD in the peripartum. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: • 256 women were followed from the 20-24th week of pregnancy to 6-month postpartum. • 12 (8%) of the women had onset of OCD during the follow-up period. • The women with OCD-onset reported fewer socioeconomic resources. • The women with OCD-onset had more psychological vulnerabilities.
Informed consent and contraception when prescribing valproate to individuals of childbearing potential: a quality improvement project.
Suleiman M, Jarahzadeh N, Belikova A … +5 more , Jani H, Bodic M, Ginsburg P, Jacob T, Carlini SV
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41537907 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Valproate is an efficacious treatment for several neurologic and psychiatric disorders, but it carries a grave risk of teratogenicity. Despite warnings from regulatory bodies, prescribing guidelines from profess...
PURPOSE: Valproate is an efficacious treatment for several neurologic and psychiatric disorders, but it carries a grave risk of teratogenicity. Despite warnings from regulatory bodies, prescribing guidelines from professional associations, and expert opinion against the practice, the medication continues to be commonly prescribed to persons with childbearing potential for psychiatric indications. METHODS: A quality improvement focused educational intervention on the conduct and documentation of informed consent and contraceptive counseling when prescribing the teratogen valproate to individuals aged 12-55 who may become pregnant was implemented in the Psychiatry Department of an urban community hospital. Documentation from 3 months before and after the intervention was qualitatively assessed for notation of informed consent, including the patient's expressed understanding of risks as well as specific counseling on teratogenicity and the need for contraception, in acute care and outpatient charts that had a prescription from a psychiatric provider for valproate in that time frame. RESULTS: While statistically significant improvement was found in the documentation of general informed consent and patients' responses to counseling in outpatient charts, there was no improvement in acute care charts and no significant increase in valproate-specific counseling in charts from either care setting. CONCLUSION: The minimal impact of an educational initiative on documentation of informed consent in the present study suggests that education alone may not be sufficient to address the crucial safety concern of valproate prescribing practices in psychiatric patients who may become pregnant.
Trauma, knowledge, and survival: epistemic and decolonial lessons from Yazidi women survivors.
Yildirim S, Abbasian H, Irfan B … +1 more , Betancourt TS
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41528548 · Publisher ↗
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Trimesters induced changes in pharmacokinetic parameters of antipsychotics.
Adhayanti I, Robiyanto R, Bahar MA … +1 more , Wahyudin E
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41528499 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: There is a need to balance maternal mental health treatment with fetal safety when prescribing antipsychotic medications during pregnancy. Physiological changes during pregnancy markedly influence drug pharmacok...
PURPOSE: There is a need to balance maternal mental health treatment with fetal safety when prescribing antipsychotic medications during pregnancy. Physiological changes during pregnancy markedly influence drug pharmacokinetics, making it difficult to achieve therapeutic efficacy without compromising on the risks. METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identify trimester-specific physiological changes impacting antipsychotic pharmacokinetics. A retrieval of relevant studies published between inception to October 3, 2023 was conducted through PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase. Key pharmacokinetic parameters examined include bioavailability, volume of distribution, clearance, half-life, and area under the curve. RESULTS: Pregnancy-related physiological changes, such as increased plasma volume, enhanced hepatic blood flow, and altered protein binding, can significantly affect the pharmacokinetics of antipsychotics. For instance, plasma concentrations of Haloperidol, a first generation antipsychotic (FGA), have been reported to decrease by up to 52% in the third trimester. Similarly, Quetiapine and Aripiprazole, both second generation antipsychotics (SGAs), show substantial reductions in plasma levels during the same period, by 76.2% and 76.8%, respectively. These findings suggest a potential need for dose adjustments to maintain therapeutic drug exposure as pregnancy progresses. Physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models further support this adjustment to ensure continued clinical efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Significant changes in pharmacokinetics are observed for antipsychotic drugs during pregnancy, underlining the importance of developing a personalized dosing strategy and therapeutic drug monitoring to maximize therapeutic efficacy and at the same time keep the treatment safe for mother and fetus.
Reproductive coercion and violence against women with unplanned pregnancies in Turkiye.
Öztürk R, Güner Ö, Emi̇nov E
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41514092 · Full text
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of reproductive coercion and violence on women with unplanned pregnancies in Türkiye. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 20...
PURPOSE: This study aimed to examine the effects of reproductive coercion and violence on women with unplanned pregnancies in Türkiye. METHODS: This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted between 2021 and 2022 with women who applied to the obstetrics and gynecology outpatient clinic. Data were collected using the "Descriptive Information Form," the "Women Abuse Screening Tool (WAST)," and the "Reproductive Coercion Scale (RCS). RESULTS: A total of 380 women were included in the study. It was found that 18.7% of women had experienced reproductive coercion, and 17.1% had been exposed to violence. A significant difference was observed between scores on the Reproductive Coercion Scale and the Violence Scale (X = 25.173, p < 0.001). Spouse's alcohol consumption, reproductive coercion, residence, marital status, type of marriage, and pregnancy status together explained 27.8% of the variance in participants' levels of violence. CONCLUSION: The study demonstrated that women in Türkiye experienced reproductive coercion during their reproductive years and that there was an association between violence against women and reproductive coercion. Notably, reproductive coercion and violence appeared to be significantly influenced by regional and cultural factors, reflecting variations observed across different countries and societies.
Which therapy works best for maternal depressive symptoms? A network meta-analysis of psychotherapeutic interventions.
Öztürk H, Yüksel R, Balmumcu A
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41504974 · Full text
PURPOSE: Maternal depression is a significant public health concern that can adversely affect both mothers and their children. Although various psychotherapeutic interventions have been proposed, their relative comparati...
PURPOSE: Maternal depression is a significant public health concern that can adversely affect both mothers and their children. Although various psychotherapeutic interventions have been proposed, their relative comparative efficacy remains unclear. This network meta-analysis (NMA) aimed to evaluate and compare the efficacy of different psychotherapeutic interventions in reducing maternal depressive symptoms. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the Web of Science Core Collection (Science Citation Index Expanded and Social Sciences Citation Index) to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published between 1 February 2021 and 1 February 2025. Eligible studies included mothers aged ≥ 18 years who were assessed for maternal depressive symptoms using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and received any form of psychotherapy. Data were extracted using a predefined format (PROSPERO ID: CRD420251010916). Random-effects models were used to perform the NMA in R, reporting mean differences (MD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and P-scores. RESULTS: A total of 8 RCTs involving 2,919 participants were included. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was the only intervention that showed a statistically significant reduction in depressive symptoms compared to treatment as usual (TAU) (MD = -3.22, 95%CI: -5.91 to -0.54; p = 0.019; P-score = 0.92). Other interventions showed trends toward improvement, but these were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: CBT emerged as the most efficacious psychotherapeutic approach in both direct and indirect comparisons, supported by statistical evidence from the NMA.
Parental care in adolescence and women's later postpartum psychosocial wellbeing: a 20-year prospective preconception cohort study.
Aarsman SR, Dashti SG, Le Bas G … +10 more , Macdonald JA, Greenwood CJ, Hutchinson DM, Biden EJ, Kerr JA, Kretschmer T, Ritland L, Thomson KC, Olsson CA, Spry EA
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41504953 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: Prior retrospective evidence links parental care when growing up to later mental health in the perinatal period, but prospective evidence on a broader range of perinatal outcomes is limited. This study aimed to...
PURPOSE: Prior retrospective evidence links parental care when growing up to later mental health in the perinatal period, but prospective evidence on a broader range of perinatal outcomes is limited. This study aimed to estimate the effect of low parental care (maternal, paternal, or both) during adolescence on psychosocial wellbeing in women at one year postpartum. METHODS: We emulated a target trial using observational data from a preconception cohort study, the Victorian Intergenerational Health Cohort Study (N = 398 women, 609 infants). At age 16 years, adolescents reported on care from their parental figures. After becoming parents themselves, up to 20 years later, they were assessed at one year postpartum on psychosocial wellbeing outcomes (social support, partner coercive control, depressive symptoms, parenting anxiety, and parenting self-efficacy). Generalised estimating equations were used to estimate relative risks of each outcome by low parental care, adjusted for potential baseline confounders. RESULTS: Low parental care was associated with a number of aspects of women's social and psychological wellbeing at one year postpartum. The strongest evidence was observed for low maternal care and high family social support (aRR = 0.84, 95%CI 0.72-0.97), high partner coercive control (aRR = 1.38, 95%CI 1.05-1.83), and high depressive symptoms (aRR = 2.03, 95%CI 1.07-3.86). For most outcomes, effect sizes for one low-care caregiver were similar to effect sizes for two low-care caregivers. CONCLUSIONS: Women who report one or more primary caregiver relationships characterised by low care in adolescence may face increased risk for psychological difficulties within a context of fewer social supports after becoming parents.
Antipsychotic drug use during pregnancy and neonatal outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Quinn D, Donnelly M, O'Neill C
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41504774 · Full text
PURPOSE: The use of antipsychotics during pregnancy has increased over the past two decades, primarily driven by an increase in the use of second-generation antipsychotic drugs. However, knowledge regarding the reproduct...
PURPOSE: The use of antipsychotics during pregnancy has increased over the past two decades, primarily driven by an increase in the use of second-generation antipsychotic drugs. However, knowledge regarding the reproductive safety of antipsychotic drugs remains limited. This systematic review and meta-analysis investigated the associations between in utero antipsychotic drug exposure and congenital malformations and other neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo was conducted from database inception to February 2024 for cohort and case-control (English language) studies that examined maternal antipsychotic exposure and reported risk estimates for one or more of the following outcomes: congenital malformation, preterm birth, low birth weight, stillbirth, or neonatal intensive care unit admission. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and reporting was guided by the PRISMA statement and MOOSE guidelines. Pooled estimates were calculated using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Twelve studies (comprising over 10 million pregnancies across 12 countries) met the inclusion criteria. A pooled meta-analysis of eight studies indicated borderline evidence of an association between the risk of congenital malformations and in utero antipsychotic drug exposure, with moderate heterogeneity (odds ratio [OR] 1.27; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.996-1.624, p = 0.0535; I = 53%). No association was observed when limited to second-generation antipsychotics (OR 1.16; 95% CI 0.78-1.72, p = 0.47). Regarding the outcome of preterm birth, antipsychotic exposure was associated with an increase in risk (OR 1.35; 95% CI 1.13-1.62, p < 0.01), though there was moderate to high heterogeneity (I = 70%). There was insufficient data to perform a meta-analysis for the other outcomes. CONCLUSION: Meta-analyses did not indicate strong evidence that in utero antipsychotic exposure is a major teratogen; and although an association was observed between maternal antipsychotic use and preterm birth, there was significant heterogeneity across studies. The decision to continue antipsychotic use during pregnancy involves a complex balancing of risks and benefits for women and their healthcare professionals. Any potential risks to the developing foetus must be weighed against the risks of discontinuing treatment, including the possibility of relapse in women with severe mental illness, which can have serious consequences for a woman and her infant. Finally, there is a need for further robustly designed studies.
Gender and income disparities in World Psychiatry Congress participation (2023-2024).
Yilmaz-Karaman IG, Pinto da Costa M, Koseoglu B … +3 more , Oktar AU, Thibaut F, Færden A
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41498973 · Full text
PURPOSE: Although the number of women in psychiatry has increased substantially, gender disparities remain in leadership and visibility at scientific meetings. Country income level also affects academic participation, bu...
PURPOSE: Although the number of women in psychiatry has increased substantially, gender disparities remain in leadership and visibility at scientific meetings. Country income level also affects academic participation, but its impact within the field of psychiatry remains underinvestigated. This study examined gender and income disparities at the country level, as well as gender and income disparities within countries, at two consecutive World Congresses of Psychiatry (WCPs), held in Austria (2023) and Mexico (2024). METHODS: The scientific programs of WCP 2023 and WCP 2024 were systematically reviewed to identify all speakers and chairs. Data were extracted on gender, role, session type, and country income level, classified according to World Bank criteria. Gender was determined from congress profiles, photographs, pronouns, or the Gender API. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests with Bonferroni corrections, with significance set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: WCP 2023 featured 999 speakers/chairs, and WCP 2024 featured 574. Women's representation increased significantly from 37.4% in 2023 to 43.4% in 2024 (χ² = 5.382, df = 1, p = 0.020). Participation from low- and middle-income countries also rose in 2024, while men's representation from high-income countries declined. Several session types in 2024 reached or exceeded gender parity, including Distinguished Lectures (58.3%), Panel Discussions (50%), and Early Career Psychiatrist Sessions (60%). CONCLUSIONS: Women's representation at WCPs has shown encouraging improvement, although parity has not yet been achieved, and differences are evident by country income level. Hosting congresses in middle-income countries may support broader participation. Continued monitoring, mentorship initiatives, and inclusive conference policies can further strengthen gender equality and global representation in psychiatry.
Vitamin D levels and perinatal anxiety in an anxiety-focused behavioral intervention program in Pakistan.
Etyemez S, Mehta K, Faiz J … +8 more , Ahmad M, Zaidi A, Atif N, Rahman A, Malik A, Voegtline KM, Surkan PJ, Osborne LM
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41498950 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE: This study investigates Vitamin D levels across the perinatal period and relationships with perinatal anxiety and immune markers in women in Pakistan. METHODS: We analyzed plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D an...
PURPOSE: This study investigates Vitamin D levels across the perinatal period and relationships with perinatal anxiety and immune markers in women in Pakistan. METHODS: We analyzed plasma levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and cytokines and chemokines from 117 participants from the "Happy Mother-Healthy Baby" trial, which evaluated a non-specialist delivered cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for perinatal anxiety. Blood samples were collected at four timepoints: T1 (10-22 weeks), T2 (22-26 weeks), T3 (34-38 weeks), and T4 (six weeks postpartum). Participants were categorized into anxiety groups using K-means clustering. Mixed-effect models were used to examine Vitamin D trajectories, and moderation analysis explored the impact of immune markers on the Vitamin D-anxiety relationship. RESULTS: Vitamin D levels were severely deficient across all timepoints (< 5 ng/ml) and declined significantly from T1 to T2 (β = -0.549, p = .006) before rebounding postpartum (β = 1.492, p < .0001). Despite this widespread Vitamin D deficiency, no significant differences in Vitamin D trajectories were observed across anxiety groups. Higher innate immune activity correlated with higher Vitamin D levels at T1. IL-6 and CXCL-8 levels moderated the Vitamin D and anxiety relationship at T2 (IL-6: β = 2.98, p = .015; CXCL-8: β = 0.72, p = .030); among those with higher levels of IL-6 and CXCL-8, higher Vitamin D levels were associated with higher levels of anxiety. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the need for further research on maternal Vitamin D deficiency and its relationship with immune function in low- and middle-income countries.
Sex/gender differences in autistic traits, intelligence and executive functions of school-aged autistic children without intellectual disability.
Polónyiová K, Teličák P, Kyselicová K … +2 more , Dukonyová D, Ostatníková D
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41498934 · Full text
BACKGROUND: ASD has been more often diagnosed and researched in men than women, shaping diagnostic criteria which may not adequately capture the female presentation. Examining differences between girls and boys with ASD...
BACKGROUND: ASD has been more often diagnosed and researched in men than women, shaping diagnostic criteria which may not adequately capture the female presentation. Examining differences between girls and boys with ASD could enhance diagnostic accuracy and help reduce gender-related biases in research and clinical practice. The aim of this research was to analyze potential differences in autistic traits, intelligence, and executive functions of school-aged girls and boys diagnosed with ASD without intellectual disability. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 79 children with ASD, 20 girls and 59 boys, aged between 6 and 12 years. Autistic traits were measured by Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule - Second Version and Autism Diagnostic Interview-Revised, intelligence by the Woodcock-Johnson International Editions II, and executive functions by Wisconsin Card Sorting Test and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function 2. RESULTS: Girls scored lower in the amount of restricted, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors, but showed more severe deficits in Emotion Regulation, Cognitive Regulation and clinical scales Shift and Initiate, as measured by BRIEF-2. CONCLUSION: Our results indicate girls with ASD exhibit certain differences from boys with ASD, which may be diagnostically relevant and helpful for their early detection and access to necessary resources and support. Nevertheless, extensive further research on the sex/gender differences and female ASD presentation is still needed.
Psychological stress and functional ovarian suppression in women with PCOM: an observational study of FHA-like neuroendocrine phenotypes.
Silva V, Soares S, Miguelote R
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41498876 · Full text
PROPOSE: To examine how chronic psychological stress alters gonadotropin dynamics and disrupts ovarian endocrine function in women with polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM), and to discuss the modulatory role of leptin i...
PROPOSE: To examine how chronic psychological stress alters gonadotropin dynamics and disrupts ovarian endocrine function in women with polycystic ovarian morphology (PCOM), and to discuss the modulatory role of leptin in this process. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study of 134 women, participants were classified into four groups: three subgroups of women with oligomenorrhea-PCOM with stress, PCOM without stress, and NON-PCOM/NON-STRESS-and a comparison group of eumenorrheic controls. Psychological stress was assessed with validated psychometric instruments (STAI, HADS, PSS-10), and a composite Stress Index was derived. PCOM was defined according to the 2023 International Evidence-based Guideline for PCOS. Stress status was classified using established cut-offs for each instrument, with non-stress cohorts defined by scores consistently below clinical thresholds. Hormonal profiling included LH, FSH, estradiol, AMH, leptin, cortisol, and ACTH. Mediation and moderation models were employed to examine the relationships among stress, leptin, the LH/FSH ratio, and ovarian endocrine markers, as AMH and estradiol. RESULTS: Women in the PCOM-STRESS group exhibited significantly lower LH levels, LH/FSH ratios, and AMH concentrations compared to PCOM-NON-STRESS, despite similar ovarian morphology and preserved FSH levels. Mediation analysis revealed that the LH/FSH ratio significantly mediated the effect of psychological stress on both estradiol and AMH levels. Moderation analysis indicated that leptin modulated the impact of stress on the LH/FSH ratio (interaction p = 0.004), with more pronounced suppressive effects of psychological stress under low leptin levels. Despite high psychological stress, women in the PCOM-STRESS group showed no activation of the HPA axis, suggesting neuroendocrine resilience or adaptation. These findings highlight the clinical value of assessing both psychological and metabolic context in women with ambiguous ovulatory dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Chronic psychological stress in women with PCOM is associated with functional suppression of LH and ovarian endocrine output, reflecting an attenuation of the typical PCOS endocrine phenotype despite the polycystic ovarian morphology. Leptin modulates individual susceptibility to stress-induced reproductive suppression, acting as a potential permissive signal of hypothalamic resilience. Assessing gonadotropin ratios and metabolic context may improve diagnostic accuracy in women with ambiguous ovulatory dysfunction.
Sex differences in the independent and combined effects of genomic and exposomic risks for schizophrenia on distressing psychotic experiences: insights from the ABCD study.
Prachason T, Arias-Magnasco A, Lin BD … +4 more , van Os J, Rutten BPF, Pries LK, Guloksuz S
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41493491 · Full text
PURPOSE: To investigate sex-dependent effects of polygenic risk (PRS-SCZ) and exposome score (ES-SCZ) for schizophrenia, both independently and jointly, on distressing psychotic experiences (PEs) in early adolescents. ME...
PURPOSE: To investigate sex-dependent effects of polygenic risk (PRS-SCZ) and exposome score (ES-SCZ) for schizophrenia, both independently and jointly, on distressing psychotic experiences (PEs) in early adolescents. METHOD: Baseline to 3-year follow-up data of the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study (ABCD) were used. PRS-SCZ and ES-SCZ were calculated to assess cumulative genetic and environmental (childhood adversity, cannabis use, hearing impairment, and winter births) risk for schizophrenia, respectively. The primary outcome was past-month distressing PEs at the 3-year follow-up. Secondary outcomes included distressing PEs across four yearly assessments: lifetime (≥ 1 wave), repeated (≥ 2 or ≥ 3 waves), and persisting (≥ 4 waves). Sex-stratified multilevel logistic regression models were used to test the independent and joint associations of binary modes (> 75th percentile) of PRS-SCZ (PRS-SCZ) and ES-SCZ (ES-SCZ) on the outcomes. As sensitivity analysis, the sex-stratified analyses were repeated on a randomly selected unrelated sample, and the coefficients of males and females were compared. RESULTS: PRS-SCZ was not associated with past-month distressing PEs in either sex but significantly associated with lifetime and repeated (≥ 2 waves) distressing PEs only in females. In both sexes, ES-SCZ was significantly associated with all PE outcomes but did not additively interact with PRS-SCZ in predicting them. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the findings and revealed a significant sex difference in the association between PRS-SCZ and lifetime distressing PEs. CONCLUSION: The influence of genomic risk for schizophrenia on distressing PEs might be sex-dependent, whereas that of the exposomic risk was universal in early adolescence. Further studies in larger samples are needed.
Postpartum retention in opioid agonist treatment for opioid dependence: A population-based cohort study.
Zhou J, Varney B, Jones N … +4 more , Bharat C, Degenhardt L, Havard A, Tran DT
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41491430 · Full text
PURPOSE: Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is the first-line treatment for opioid dependence during pregnancy and recommended for at least one year postpartum or until a strong maternal-infant bond and stable family environ...
PURPOSE: Opioid agonist treatment (OAT) is the first-line treatment for opioid dependence during pregnancy and recommended for at least one year postpartum or until a strong maternal-infant bond and stable family environment is established. Evidence on postpartum OAT retention is limited. We examined retention rates and associated maternal characteristics. METHODS: We linked OAT prescription authority to perinatal, mortality, and other data sources. We identified all opioid-dependent women who gave birth in New South Wales, Australia (1 January 2004-31 March 2020) while receiving OAT. We defined retention at 90, 180, and 365 days postpartum as continuous treatment over each period. We calculated retention rates and used generalised linear modelling to examine association between retention and maternal socio-demographic and clinical factors. RESULTS: There were 3933 childbirths among 2514 women on OAT. Retention rates were 93.3% (n = 3670) at 90 days, 88.4% (n = 3475) at 180 days, and 78.5% (n = 3086) at 365 days. Retention at 180 days was lower for those who gave birth after 2015, were Indigenous, had recent conviction or incarceration, initiated OAT after conception, received buprenorphine, or had a mental illness. We observed similar association patterns at 90 and 365 days. CONCLUSIONS: Among women on OAT at childbirth, postpartum treatment retention was high but varied across subgroups. Lower retention among women who initiated OAT late in pregnancy or with social or clinical risk factors highlights the need for targeted support. Lower buprenorphine retention warrants ongoing monitoring and tailored care, particularly in settings where it is the preferred treatment during pregnancy.
Mental health service utilization in a novel insurance-based Ob/Gyn integrated model for women across the lifespan.
Lavallée A, Babineau V, D'Antonio K … +11 more , Werner E, Drysdale AT, Osbourne M, Grubb M, Moise N, Reuveni I, Zhang Z, Lee S, Dumitriu D, D'Alton M, Monk C
Arch Womens Ment Health · 2026 Jan · PMID 41486212 · Full text
PURPOSE: Women’s Mental Health @Obstetrics and Gynecology (WMH @Ob/Gyn) is a novel, insurance-based clinical model integrated in Ob/Gyn practices that offers approachable, acceptable, available, and affordable mental hea...
PURPOSE: Women’s Mental Health @Obstetrics and Gynecology (WMH @Ob/Gyn) is a novel, insurance-based clinical model integrated in Ob/Gyn practices that offers approachable, acceptable, available, and affordable mental healthcare to women across the lifespan. Women seen by Ob/Gyn physicians for physical healthcare needs are referred to the WMH @Ob/Gyn service based on patient request, provider observation, and/or results on universal depression screening. WMH@Ob/Gyn’ services include mental health screening, psychotherapy, psychopharmacology and support groups, all embedded into Ob/Gyn. Here, we sought to evaluate utilization rates of mental health services as an outcome of increased access resulting from real-world implementation of WMH @Ob/Gyn. METHODS: This prospective observational cohort study followed all patients referred to WMH @Ob/Gyn from 02/2020 to 12/2022. Data were obtained from a clinical registry and patient electronic health records. Utilization was estimated on initiation (proportion of women who attended at least one mental health visit), and sustainment (proportion of women who attended three or more visits). RESULTS: 2,661 women were referred to WMH @Ob/Gyn; 65% initiated, out of which 36% sustained treatment. Hispanic/Latina/Spanish women were less likely to initiate treatment. Of those who initiated, women whose insurance was non-participating in mental healthcare, women that were not pregnant, and younger women, had lower odds of sustaining treatment. CONCLUSION: WMH @Ob/Gyn facilitates the initiation and sustainment of mental health treatment at rates considerably higher than those observed in comparable perinatal-integrated programs or the general population. However, persistent systemic barriers, including disparities in physical and mental health insurance coverage, continue to constrain equitable, sustained access to mental healthcare.
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