Lifetime substance use as a predictor of postpartum mental health

Abstract

Postpartum mood disorders (PPMD) affect approximately 10-20% of women and have adverse consequences for both mom and baby. Lifetime substance use has received limited attention in relation to PPMD. The present study examined associations of lifetime alcohol and drug use with postpartum mental health problems. Women (n = 100) within approximately 3 months postpartum (M = 2.01, SD = 1.32) participated in semi-structured interviews querying lifetime substance use, mental health history, and postpartum symptoms of anxiety, stress, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and obsessive compulsive disorder. The study was conducted in an urban Canadian city from 2009 to 2010. Analyses revealed that lifetime substance use increased the variability explained in postpartum PTSD (p = .011), above and beyond sociodemographic characteristics and mental health history. The same trend, though not significant, was observed for stress (p = .059) and anxiety (p = .070). Lifetime drug use, specifically, was associated with postpartum stress (p = .021) and anxiety (p = .041), whereas lifetime alcohol use was not (ps ≥ .128). Findings suggest that lifetime drug use is associated with PPMD. Future research should examine whether screening for lifetime drug use during antenatal and postpartum care improves identification of women experiencing PPMD.

Dual Depression: A Sex Perspective

“…Prevat et al studied the associations of lifetime alcohol and drug use with postpartum mental health problems among 100 women for ∼3 months. 48 Their findings suggest that lifetime substance use increased the variability explained in postpartum PTSD ( P =0.011) above and beyond sociodemographic characteristics and mental health history. Lifetime drug use was specifically associated with postpartum stress ( P =0.021) and anxiety ( P =0.041), whereas lifetime alcohol use was not ( P s≥0.128).…”

Predictors of Postpartum Depression Among Women with Low Incomes in the United States

“…It is well-accepted that poor physical health often manifests as poor mental health, and that better physical health is protective from more severe mental health symptomatology (Luo et al, 2020; O'Loughlin et al, 2022). There is ample evidence identifying alcohol use as a reliable predictive factor for clinical depression and, more specifically, PPD (Prevatt et al, 2017).…”

Psychiatric co-morbidity among women with substance use disorders

“…Furthermore, the prevalence of psychiatric co-morbidity among pregnant women who use substances is also significant, varying from 57 to 91 per cent (Coleman-Cowger, 2012; Strengell et al , 2015). Postpartum mood disorders affect approximately 10-20 per cent of women and this prevalence increases among women with lifetime substance use (Prevatt et al , 2017).…”

“…Postpartum mood disorders affect approximately 10-20 per cent of women and this prevalence increases among women with lifetime substance use (Prevatt et al, 2017).…”