Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Apr · PMID 40102307
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This manuscript highlights the mental health challenges faced by pregnant women in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict and a collapsing healthcare system. Limited access to prenatal care and psychological support and the destru...This manuscript highlights the mental health challenges faced by pregnant women in Gaza amidst ongoing conflict and a collapsing healthcare system. Limited access to prenatal care and psychological support and the destruction of healthcare infrastructure has worsened mental health issues like anxiety and depression. Pregnant women in Gaza are at higher risk of miscarriage, stillbirth, and birth defects, further impacting their mental well-being. This study calls for urgent interventions, including vaccination, nutrition campaigns, and improved sanitation to control infectious diseases. It emphasizes the need for 24-hour mental health centers and trained professionals to provide care. Additionally, digital health solutions such as telemedicine and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) can be crucial in diagnosing and managing health conditions in conflict zones.
Savoia A, Scaini S, Rossi F
… +2 more, Calcinati M, Oppo A
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40088260
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BACKGROUND: Depression during pregnancy and postpartum can severely impact psychological and physical well-being, with significant consequences for the child and family. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to...BACKGROUND: Depression during pregnancy and postpartum can severely impact psychological and physical well-being, with significant consequences for the child and family. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of online interventions during pregnancy in reducing postpartum depressive symptoms and enhancing well-being. METHODS: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published in English involving pregnant women over 18 years old who participated in online interventions, with or without the support of a health worker, were included. Studies were required to use validated measures for depression and well-being assessed during pregnancy and postpartum. Exclusion criteria comprised literature reviews, meta-analyses, theses, self-help groups and assessment of symptomatology during the period concurrent with maternity blues. A search was conducted using PubMed and EBSCOhost databases, concluding on July 29, 2024. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB 2. RESULTS: Eighteen studies with a total of 9,565 participants met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 38.8% involved clinical populations. Variability was noted in theoretical models, gestational age, professional involvement, and intervention activities. The overall effect size was significant (Cohen's d = 0.37; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.66; p = 0.0114) with greater efficacy observed in studies using treatment as usual (TAU) as a control and those incorporating relaxation and physical activity. DISCUSSION: Limitations include the absence of standardized protocols and uncertainties regarding long-term efficacy. Although the findings suggest potential effectiveness of online interventions in reducing depressive symptoms, further research is required to address gaps in the existing evidence. OTHER: The study received no funding and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023420999).
Hamlett GE, McGhie SF, Dishy G
… +3 more, Chan SJ, McNally RJ, Dekel S
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40072580
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PURPOSE: Women with a history of sexual trauma (ST) have heightened risk for postpartum psychopathology. Although ST increases risk for traumatic delivery and maternal psychopathology, knowledge of the functional connect...PURPOSE: Women with a history of sexual trauma (ST) have heightened risk for postpartum psychopathology. Although ST increases risk for traumatic delivery and maternal psychopathology, knowledge of the functional connections among various psychiatric symptoms and complicated delivery remains limited. METHODS: We used regularized partial correlation networks to examine connections between symptoms of childbirth-related PTSD (CB-PTSD), depression, anxiety, somatization, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and complicated delivery (e.g., presence of obstetric complications, preterm birth, advanced maternal age) in 1,916 postpartum women. We compared networks of women with and without a history of sexual trauma (n = 958 and n = 958, respectively). RESULTS: Complicated delivery in both groups connected with three CB-PTSD clusters: reexperiencing, avoidance, and negative alterations in cognition and mood. Network comparison tests revealed a significant difference in global strength invariance, but not network invariance. ST network CB-PTSD nodes were significantly more strongly interconnected as compared to those with no ST (NST). Conversely, stronger connections in the NST network were Mood with Anxiety and Avoidance with Somatic symptoms. CONCLUSION: The ST group's stronger PTSD symptom coactivation may reflect differences in risk for the emergence of CB-PTSD for women with a history of ST.
Duberstein ZT, Bell K, Poleshuck E
… +5 more, Arnold MS, H McDaniel S, P Alio A, Dapshi N, O'Connor TG
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40067395
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PURPOSE: Black perinatal people in the United States are disproportionately affected by morbidity and mortality. An emerging hypothesis is that these disparities may be in part due to poor communication in obstetric care...PURPOSE: Black perinatal people in the United States are disproportionately affected by morbidity and mortality. An emerging hypothesis is that these disparities may be in part due to poor communication in obstetric care which may lead to poor perinatal care quality and adverse health outcomes. The purpose of this review is to provide a systematic review of the literature on patient-clinician communication amongst Black patients in perinatal healthcare settings. METHODS: A literature search was conducted for studies published between January 2006 to December 2024 using PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. PRISMA guidelines were followed to extract relevant articles and study methodologies and results were synthesized. RESULTS: A total of 11 qualitative and 18 quantitative studies met inclusion criteria. Overall, findings indicate reliable evidence of Black patients' reports of discrimination, being left out of decision-making, and being ignored by their clinicians. We discuss methodological limitations of the work and suggest improvements. CONCLUSION: The results of this review may inform interventions to target the quality of communication between perinatal clinicians and their Black patients to improve morbidity and mortality outcomes.
Verschuuren AEH, Soldati E, Stekelenburg J
… +2 more, Jong EIF, Postma IR
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Apr · PMID 40042676
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PURPOSE: Maternal mental health disorders are prevalent among migrant women. Due to the association of these disorders with adverse pregnancy outcomes, early recognition, and referral are important. This review aims to p...PURPOSE: Maternal mental health disorders are prevalent among migrant women. Due to the association of these disorders with adverse pregnancy outcomes, early recognition, and referral are important. This review aims to provide an overview of the literature on mental health screening for migrant women during pregnancy and the postpartum period. METHODS: We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO, covering publications before July 15th, 2024. Database searches were supplemented by a grey literature search, which included a systematic Google and Google Scholar search, hand searching of reference lists, and citation searches. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method studies published in any language were included if they evaluated or validated screening methods for maternal mental health disorders in first-generation migrants. Screening for eligibility, data extraction, and quality appraisal were conducted by two independent researchers. Results were summarized narratively. RESULTS: Among the 3035 records screened, 30 articles met the inclusion criteria. Our findings indicate that health care providers and migrant women recognize a substantial need for maternal mental health screening, especially for depression, and in a lesser quantity for anxiety and PTSD. We describe a range of barriers and facilitators that impact the quality and feasibility of mental health screening. Research on available screening instruments in migrant populations reports reasonable accuracy, reliability, and validity. However, qualitative evaluations question the screening instruments' cultural appropriateness and translatability. CONCLUSIONS: There is an urgent need for the development and implementation of maternal mental health screening programs tailored to pregnant or postpartum migrants. Further research is essential to enhance the effectiveness and cultural sensitivity of these screening programs.
Zarchev M, Bais B, Meijer JS
… +5 more, Bijma HH, van der Zande B, Luik AI, Lambregtse-van den Berg MP, Kamperman AM
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 40035835
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PURPOSE: Bright light therapy (BLT) is a potential treatment for depression during pregnancy, which may also improve sleep. We investigated whether BLT has an effect on self-reported and actigraphy-estimated sleep in pre...PURPOSE: Bright light therapy (BLT) is a potential treatment for depression during pregnancy, which may also improve sleep. We investigated whether BLT has an effect on self-reported and actigraphy-estimated sleep in pregnant women diagnosed with depressive disorder. METHOD: Sixty-seven pregnant women with a DSM-5 diagnosis of depressive disorder during pregnancy were randomly allocated to treatment with BLT (9,000 lx, 5,000 K) or dim red light therapy (DRLT, 100 lx, 2,700 K), which is considered placebo. For six weeks, both groups were treated daily at home for 30 min upon awakening. Follow-up took place at various time points. We collected data on sleep with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and with actigraphy wearables. RESULTS: We found no statistically significant differences in treatment groups across any of the sleep parameters measured, namely sleep efficiency, duration, onset latency, fragmentation, and total sleep health as measured by self-report and actigraphy. Moreover, we observed no overall improvements in sleep during the treatment period. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that any potential therapeutic effects of BLT might have on sleep are too small for the current study to detect. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: NTR5476; November 5th, 2015.
Howard M, Goulding AN, Muddana A
… +3 more, Fletcher TL, Cirino N, Stuebe AM
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 39976677
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This study sought to determine prevalence of Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) and mental health correlates in a cohort of patients from a breastfeeding medicine clinic. We determined prevalence of D-MER symptoms an...This study sought to determine prevalence of Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER) and mental health correlates in a cohort of patients from a breastfeeding medicine clinic. We determined prevalence of D-MER symptoms and performed bivariate analyses to explore associations between D-MER symptoms, demographics, and self-reported mental health history. Among 271 patients, 42 (15.5%) reported D-MER. Women with D-MER symptoms were more likely to report a history of panic attacks (28.6 vs. 12.2%, OR 2.87, 95% CI 1.23-6.25).
Pelizza L, Ricci C, Leuci E
… +7 more, Quattrone E, Palmisano D, Pupo S, Paulillo G, Pellegrini C, Pellegrini P, Menchetti M
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 39971780
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PURPOSE: Males and females with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) usually tend to differ in psychopathology, clinical presentation and their longitudinal trajectory. This study aimed to examine the difference of effectivenes...PURPOSE: Males and females with First Episode Psychosis (FEP) usually tend to differ in psychopathology, clinical presentation and their longitudinal trajectory. This study aimed to examine the difference of effectiveness of specialized psychosocial and pharmacological treatments for FEP, focusing on various clinical and functioning outcomes across a 2-years follow-up period. METHODS: The assessment included the CAARMS, the HoNOS, the PANSS and the GAF scale and was conducted at baseline and every 12 months. RESULTS: 490 FEP patients (age: 12-35 years) were recruited. Of them, 363 completed the follow-up (132 females and 231 males). At baseline, males showed a higher prevalence rate of schizophrenia diagnosis (56.1% VS 43.8%; p = .008), whereas females a higher prevalence rate of affective psychosis (36.2% VS 23.3%; p = .005). Male participants also showed a more consistent substance abuse (46.9% VS 24.3%; p = .0001), lower years of education (11.26 ± 2.94 VS 11.88 ± 2.68; p = .013), and more striking behavioral manifestations (4.06 ± 2.36 VS 3.39 ± 2.58; p = .003) compared to women. Our 2-year outcome parameter results showed a higher incidence of functional remission over time in females compared to males (49.2% VS 39.0%; p = .028), together with a decreasing trend in new hospitalization rates (17.8% VS 26.9%; p = .089). Independently from sex, our results also showed a statistically significant reduction in the prescription of psychotropic medications and through the increase of all psychosocial interventions, although more evident in males. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that specialized interventions for FEP are overall effective in both treated subgroups. Additionally, FEP women specifically showed higher rates of improvement in functional outcome variables over time when compared to males.
Zou M, Liu B, Ji J
… +9 more, Ren L, He Y, Wei H, Yin M, Hu H, Liu X, Wu S, Wang H, Wang X
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 39964561
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PURPOSE: The prevalence of depression is higher in women than in men. This may be because women are more prone to rumination. However, there is a lack of evidence about which rumination symptoms are most strongly associa...PURPOSE: The prevalence of depression is higher in women than in men. This may be because women are more prone to rumination. However, there is a lack of evidence about which rumination symptoms are most strongly associated with depression in women. According to the network theory of mental disorders, the complex interaction between different subtypes of rumination and depressive symptoms is confusing. We utilized the network analysis method to examine the connection between different subtypes of rumination and depressive symptoms across different gender groups and to investigate gender differences in rumination-depression networks. METHODS: 798 Chinese university students (50.5% males and 49.5% females) completed The Rumination Response Scale (RRS) and The Beck Depression Inventory-Second Edition (BDI-II) scales via an online survey platform for this study. The networks were analyzed and built with scale dimensions as nodes. RESULTS: The line graph indicates that the B (Brooding) and N (Negative attitude) nodes had the highest BEI values in the female group, whereas the R (Reflection) and N nodes had the highest BEI values in the male group. CONCLUSION: The findings revealed that males and females in the rumination-depression network had distinct rumination bridge nodes (male: Reflection; female: Brooding) but had a common depression bridge node (Negative attitude). The connection between different types of rumination and depressive symptoms was more pronounced in the female network. The findings enhance comprehension of gender disparities in the co-occurrence of rumination and depression, offering specific subtypes for targeted intervention in rumination.
Raza S, Banik R, Noor STA
… +7 more, Sayeed A, Saha A, Jahan E, Ashiquzzaman, Siddique MAB, Ahmed A, Rahman AE
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 39964560
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PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, determinants, and care-seeking practices for anxiety and depression among reproductive-aged women in Bangladesh. METHODS: We utilized data from the 2022 Bangladesh...PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, determinants, and care-seeking practices for anxiety and depression among reproductive-aged women in Bangladesh. METHODS: We utilized data from the 2022 Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey, with a total weighted sample of 20,029 women aged 15-49. Anxiety and depression symptoms were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) scale and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scale, respectively. Prevalence was reported with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Multiple logistic regression was conducted to identify associated factors, and the results were presented as adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% CI. RESULTS: Among women, 4% (95% CI: 3.9%, 4.9%) had symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety, and 5% had moderate to severe depression. The prevalence of both symptoms was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in Khulna, Rangpur, and Sylhet. Older women (45-49 years) (anxiety: AOR: 2.33, 95% CI: 1.55, 3.50; depression: AOR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.15, 2.31) and women who made all major household decisions (anxiety: AOR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.00, 1.69; depression: AOR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.80) were more likely to experience moderate to severe anxiety and depression. Among women with symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety or depression, 22% (95% CI: 19.9%, 25.0%) sought care, and 8% (95% CI: 6.6%, 10.1%) used medication. CONCLUSION: The findings highlight a significant burden of anxiety and depression among women in Bangladesh, with notable regional disparities. These insights underscore the need for targeted interventions to address regional disparities, support vulnerable groups such as older women and those involved in household decision-making, and integrate mental health services into primary healthcare for better mental well-being among women in Bangladesh. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: In Bangladesh, 4% and 5% of reproductive-aged women experienced moderate to severe symptoms of anxiety and depression respectively. Highest prevalence of anxiety and depression was in Khulna, Rangpur, and Sylhet. Women with older age and higher decision-making autonomy are associated with anxiety and depression. 22% of women with symptoms of anxiety and depression sought care from a healthcare provider and 8% took medication.
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 39951150
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PURPOSE: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) include depressive and anxiety disorders during pregnancy or postpartum and can have significant consequences for the parent, child, and family. When severe, these co...PURPOSE: Perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (PMADs) include depressive and anxiety disorders during pregnancy or postpartum and can have significant consequences for the parent, child, and family. When severe, these conditions can lead to suicide. Despite numerous policy efforts to improve screening, education, and referral structures, disparities in PMAD diagnosis and treatment still exists, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities. Computer Adaptive Testing (CAT) has been shown to improve the efficiency of screening by significantly reducing test length. This study evaluates whether applying CAT to the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) maintains diagnostic accuracy while ensuring these methods do not exacerbate racial disparities in PMAD screening outcomes. METHODS: Using real data simulation, we assessed three CAT-based short-form versions of the EPDS, derived from one-, two-, and three-factor item response theory models. We evaluated their diagnostic precision and examined potential racial disparities in false negative rates compared to the full-length EPDS. RESULTS: We demonstrate that estimated scores from three short versions of the EPDS administered through CAT-assuming one, two, and three-factor item response theory models-are more highly correlated with the full-length EPDS measure traditionally used to make clinical decisions (r's between 0.96 and 0.97) than the major depressive disorder subtest (CAT-MDD) from CAT-Mental Health (CAT-MH) (r =.82), as previously reported. Importantly, the false negative rates of the CAT-implied diagnoses did not significantly vary between racial groups, indicating no evidence of racial bias in diagnostic accuracy. CONCLUSION: The CAT-based versions of the EPDS offers a promising solution for improving the efficiency of PMAD screening without sacrificing diagnostic precision or exacerbating racial groups. By reducing evaluation time, these tools could facilitate more widespread and equitable screening, enabling earlier diagnosis and treatment of PMADs across diverse populations.
Vilaseca B, Roca-Lecumberri A, García-Gibert C
… +6 more, Forte F, Torres-Giménez A, Solé E, Andrés-Perpiñá S, Barajas A, Gelabert E
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Oct · PMID 39912888
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PURPOSE: Mother-Infant Interaction (MII) is the first dynamic relationship that focuses on both mother-infant involvement and dyadic coordination and is associated with infant development. The main objective of this revi...PURPOSE: Mother-Infant Interaction (MII) is the first dynamic relationship that focuses on both mother-infant involvement and dyadic coordination and is associated with infant development. The main objective of this review is to summarize the evidence on the quality of MII in mothers with Severe Mental Illness (SMI). METHOD: A systematic search for cross sectional, cohort or case control studies has been carried out in PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO and Scopus to extract studies addressing the relationship between the quality of MII and SMI. RESULTS: A total of 15 studies with a sample of 992 women were included. Studies showed worst outcomes for MII in mothers with psychotic disorder and bipolar disorder. The impairments were more pronounced in psychotic disorders. CONCLUSIONS: There is evidence of impaired MII in SMI. Social cognition (SC) is essential for understanding and responding to infant cues, so it could partially explain the associations between SMI and interaction outcomes. The current evidence is limited due to substantial heterogeneity and methodological limitations in the studies. Therefore, such findings should be interpreted with caution.
Knysak K, Maj A, Domosud K
… +4 more, Urban A, Kacperczyk-Bartnik J, Dobrowolska-Redo A, Romejko-Wolniewicz E
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39899059
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PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between prenatal smoking and postpartum depression (PPD) in order to determine if smoking cigarettes is associated with an increased risk of PPD, a prevalent emoti...PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the correlation between prenatal smoking and postpartum depression (PPD) in order to determine if smoking cigarettes is associated with an increased risk of PPD, a prevalent emotional distress in women across various cultures. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to find suitable literature following PRISMA guidelines. Authors searched PubMed and Web of Science databases using specific search terms related to depression and smoking. Articles published in English between November 2019 and November 2023 were screened. Titles and abstracts were reviewed for relevance, and eligible papers underwent detailed full-text analysis. RESULTS: 334 records were screened, of which 32 met the eligibility criteria, and 10 were included in this review. CONCLUSION: Our review provides proof that smoking before and during pregnancy increases the risk of postpartum depression, especially for women who smoke heavily. A more detailed examination of the specific mechanisms linking smoking to postpartum depression is essential and could be a crucial topic for future research. ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS: This study highlights the importance of addressing smoking cessation interventions for pregnant women to potentially reduce the incidence of PPD.
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39891667
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PURPOSE: Maternal filicide is a deeply distressing and potentially preventable phenomenon that demands priority attention. This study aims toshed light on the psychological, social and systemic factors contributing to ma...PURPOSE: Maternal filicide is a deeply distressing and potentially preventable phenomenon that demands priority attention. This study aims toshed light on the psychological, social and systemic factors contributing to maternal filicide. It calls for robust early intervention strategies and the establishment of comprehensive mental health support systems to mitigate the risk and prevent the occurence of such tragedies.. METHODS: A detailed evaluation of a mother who committed filicide was undertaken The assessments included in-depth psychiatric evaluations, interviews with family members, review of the individual's medical history, prior social circumstances, and existing legal records. This comprehensive approach allowed for the identification of potential warning signs and gaps in intervention. Additionally, a review of existing literature and national frameworks related to maternal mental health was undertaken to contextualize the findings within the broader socio-cultural and healthcare landscape of India. RESULTS: The case highlights a complex interplay of untreated mental health disorders, social stigma, lack of accessible mental health services, and a failure to recognize warning signs by family members and professionals. The analysis reveals missed opportunities for intervention that might have prevented the act of filicide. Key contributing factors included postpartum mental health issues, socio-economic stressors, and inadequate social and legal support for the mother. This case underscores the need for systemic changes, including improved mental health screening during the perinatal period and the establishment of crisis intervention services. CONCLUSION: Maternal filicide is not solely a legal issue but also a multifaceted public health and social problem that warrants a multidisciplinary response. The findings emphasize the need for an integrated approach involving healthcare professionals, social workers, and law enforcement agencies to address the mental health challenges faced by mothers in distress. Early identification of at-risk individuals, destigmatization of mental health care, and the provision of timely interventions are pivotal in preventing such tragedies. This study underscores the urgency of implementing mental health policies that prioritize maternal mental health, enhance public awareness, and ensure the availability of accessible, culturally sensitive support systems for at-risk families.
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39873833
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PURPOSE: Pregnant and postpartum mothers with physical disabilities face discrimination in healthcare settings and high rates of maternal and obstetric complications, as well as having higher rates of lifetime depression...PURPOSE: Pregnant and postpartum mothers with physical disabilities face discrimination in healthcare settings and high rates of maternal and obstetric complications, as well as having higher rates of lifetime depression prior to pregnancy, potentially increasing their likelihood of experiencing postpartum depression (PPD). Some studies have found higher rates of PPD in mothers with physical disabilities than in mothers without physical disabilities, with more disabling symptoms associated with worse PPD systems; however, the literature is sparse and heterogenous. This systematic review and meta-analysis advanced this area of study by evaluating the strength of the association between PPD and physical disability. METHODS: We searched PubMed and PsycInfo, with the primary inclusion criteria being that the studies had an established measure of depression in women during the postpartum period and either a cohort identified as having physical disability or an established measure of physical disability in a general population sample. We aggregated the prevalence of PPD in women with physical disabilities and tested the robustness of our findings to moderators, including region, sample population, and measure type. RESULTS: Findings from our quantitative meta-analysis (n=14) demonstrated a strong (d=.76, p<.0001) association between PPD and physical disabilities, such that individuals with physical disabilities reported more depression symptoms than individuals without physical disabilities. Moderator analyses were null, revealing that the association between PPD and physical disabilities was robust to several variables. Qualitative results support our conclusion that individuals with physical disabilities are at increased risk of PPD symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our findings of a strong association between physical disability and PPD support the need for more research. Additional studies would 1) augment a nuanced understanding of how best to conceptualize PPD in women with physical disabilities and 2) facilitate testing the robustness of the association between PPD and physical disabilities to additional important moderators.
Martinez-Torteya C, Miller-Graff LE, Carney JR
… +3 more, Esparza-Dávila SP, Acuapa-Juárez JC, Howell KH
Arch Womens Ment Health
· 2025 Aug · PMID 39836194
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PURPOSE: Given the lack of available and effective interventions to address the detrimental consequences of perinatal exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) on maternal mental health, and reported very low access to...PURPOSE: Given the lack of available and effective interventions to address the detrimental consequences of perinatal exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) on maternal mental health, and reported very low access to IPV-related mental health services in Mexico, we examined the feasibility and efficacy of a culturally adapted, virtual, brief group psychosocial intervention designed to improve maternal mental and physical health and reduce IPV revictimization for pregnant women exposed to IPV. In this pilot randomized controlled trial, we evaluated maternal outcomes after participation in the Pregnant Moms' Empowerment Program (PMEP) in Mexico. METHODS: Women were recruited from social service agencies and health centers in the community, as well as social media advertisements that targeted pregnant women living in Mexico. Women were randomized to receive the intervention (n = 43) or a control condition (i.e., referrals to local services; n = 47). Women completed questionnaires at baseline, post-intervention, and 3-months postpartum that assessed their exposure to IPV, depression, posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS), physical health symptoms, and resilience, as these were our primary outcomes of interest. Women in the intervention condition participated in ten, 60-minute virtual group sessions. Multilevel models were used to evaluate effects of treatment over time. RESULTS: On average, women in the intervention condition participated in six treatment sessions. Compared to the control group, intervention participants reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression at both the post-intervention and 3-month postpartum assessments (d = 0.64, d = 0.59, respectively) and fewer physical health symptoms at the post-intervention assessment (d = 0.77). Trend-level improvements in PTSS scores for post-intervention (d = 0.56) and 3-months postpartum (d = 0.56), as well as physical health at 3-months postpartum (d = 0.59), were also observed. There were no group differences in exposure to IPV over time. CONCLUSION: The current study adds to the evidence base for the PMEP intervention while also expanding it to a new cultural context by suggesting promise of its clinical utility in targeting Mexican women's perinatal depression, PTSS, and physical health symptoms.