title: The incidence of mental illness in early motherhood in a population-based survey.
abstract: The present study examined the risk of mental disorders within the first 3 postpartum years in a nationally representative sample and the sociodemographic risk factors for mental illness in early motherhood. Women aged 18 to 55 years were asked, "Are you pregnant at this time?" at baseline. A total of 13,839 women answered, with 365 of these women reporting pregnancy. Mental disorders were assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder and Associated Disabilities Interview Schedule-IV version. After adjusting for sociodemographics, postpartum women were found to be at lower risk than non-postpartum women for having several first onset mental disorders (adjusted odds ratio range: 0.49-0.58). Postpartum women with a history of mental illness were at lower risk for the onset of any mental disorder (adjusted odds ratio: 0.60, 95% confidence interval: 0.39-0.91). No sociodemographic correlates of mental disorders were identified. Clinicians should be aware of these findings when counseling women about mental disorder risk postbirth.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
authors.forename: Natalie P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Mota
authors.forename: Murray W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Enns
authors.forename: Jitender
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sareen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000453:epidemiology; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D049590:Postpartum Period / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult