Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in a community sample of low-income pregnant women.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to examine symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a community sample of low-income pregnant women who met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for the disorder.


METHODS
Pregnant women (N=948) were screened for trauma, PTSD, depression, and co-occurring illicit substance use. PTSD symptoms were compared in traumatized pregnant women and a sample of nonpregnant traumatized women from the National Comorbidity Survey.


RESULTS
Suicidal thoughts and a high degree of psychiatric comorbidity were common in pregnant women with PTSD. Pregnant women were selectively and significantly less likely to endorse reexperiencing symptoms of PTSD (29.5%, N=82), compared to nonpregnant women (79.4%, N=464).


CONCLUSIONS
PTSD in pregnancy was associated with comorbidity, poor health behaviors, and lower recall of memory-related PTSD symptoms. Further prospective study is needed.
Smith
Megan V
MV
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 142 Temple St., Suite 301, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
Poschman
Karalee
K
Cavaleri
Mary A
MA
Howell
Heather B
HB
Yonkers
Kimberly A
KA
D003237:Connecticut / Q000453:epidemiology; D003625:Data Collection / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D017831:Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry); D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D008016:Life Change Events; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D011939:Mental Recall; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011203:Poverty / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014754:Violence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data