Risk Factors for Depression and Anxiety during the Perinatal Period

Abstract

Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric disorders during the perinatal period and, if untreated, they can have long-term negative consequences on the child, the mother and the family. As such, it is of major importance to identify early on the women who are at risk of developing these disorders to be able to implement preventive interventions. The aim of this chapter is to give an overview on the most up-to-date findings on the main psychosocial, environmental and obstetric risk factors involved in the onset of antenatal and postnatal depression and anxiety. Multiple psychosocial, environmental and obstetric risk factors have been found to be associated with perinatal depression and anxiety. The most significant contributors of antenatal depression and anxiety include previous history of mental illness, lack of partner or social support, history of abuse including childhood maltreatment or domestic violence, unplanned or unwanted pregnancy, stressful life events and high perceived stress, current or previous pregnancy complications or pregnancy loss. Regarding postnatal depression and anxiety, some of the most significant contributors include antenatal depression and anxiety, previous history of mental illness, poor marital relationship and low partner and social support, stressful life events and history of abuse or current experience of abuse. Multidimensional screenings should be common practice with all the women during the perinatal period and should aim to collect information as more detailed as possible to create an estimation of the level of risk and, therefore, the necessity of preventive interventions.