TL/DR –
A new study by Kaiser Permanente has found that pregnant individuals with a history of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or low resilience are more likely to develop depression or anxiety during pregnancy. The study, the largest of its kind, involved 13,852 patients who had been screened for ACEs and resilience during prenatal care from October 2021 to March 2023. The researchers discovered that the odds of depression were three times higher for patients with four or more ACEs compared to those with no ACEs, and doubly high for those with low resilience versus high resilience.
Kaiser Permanente Study Finds Childhood Trauma, Low Resilience Increase Risk of Prenatal Depression, Anxiety
A new Kaiser Permanente analysis indicates an increased likelihood of developing depression or anxiety during pregnancy among individuals who endured adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) or possess low resilience. This is particularly true for those who have not received a prior diagnosis of these conditions.
ACEs refer to traumatic childhood events such as abuse, neglect, or parental substance use and incarceration. Resilience is one’s ability to recover from such adversity. The study found the risk for prenatal depression or anxiety is amplified in those with both ACEs and low resilience.
According to lead author Dr. Carey Watson, recognizing these potential risk factors can facilitate earlier intervention, thereby preventing or mitigating mental health disorders and potential adverse childhood experiences for the newborn or other family members.
Dr. Kelly Young-Wolff, Senior Author and Research Scientist at the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research, emphasized the significance of these findings, particularly for individuals without prior depressive or anxiety disorders, and the potential for ACEs and low resilience to be key indicators of these conditions in pregnancy.
During a span between October 2021 and March 2023, the study screened 13,852 prenatal care patients for both ACEs and resilience. The findings revealed that 17% of patients diagnosed with depression and 8.9% with anxiety had no previous records of these conditions.
The odds of depression were three times higher in patients with four or more ACEs, compared to those without ACEs. Low resilience doubled the risk of depression. Combined, ACEs and low resilience increased the likelihood by 6.4 times, with similar results for anxiety.
Dr. Watson noted that pregnancy can lead to heightened emotional vulnerability, and past problems may exert more influence. Both prenatal depression and anxiety present risks to health during and after pregnancy. Dr. Watson emphasized the importance of early risk detection to prevent generational impacts on physical and mental health.
The research team aims to secure federal funding to widen their research on ACEs and resilience during pregnancy. The Permanente Medical Group Delivery Science and Applied Research Program sponsored the study.
About Kaiser Permanente Division of Research
The Kaiser Permanente Division of Research aims to enhance the health and medical care of members and the public. Its team of 600-plus staff is currently engaged in over 450 epidemiological and health services research projects. Follow their work @KPDOR.
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