Factors associated with anxiety, depression, and suicide risk during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study of pregnant women.
TL;DR
Systematic perinatal mental health screening-including direct assessment of suicide risk-is recommended, along with interventions that integrate a biopsychosocial approach sensitive to the cultural and relational context of pregnant women.
Abstract
Background
Pregnancy is a vital developmental stage during which anxiety, depressive symptoms, and suicide risk may emerge or intensify. Although their prevalence is well documented, there remains a need to identify associated clinical and social risk factors, particularly in contemporary and diverse contexts.
Objective
To estimate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, and suicide risk among pregnant women, and to analyze associated sociodemographic, obstetric, and psychosocial factors.
Methods
We conducted an observational, analytical, cross-sectional study with a sample of 1775 pregnant women. Emotional symptoms were assessed using the GAD scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the suicide module of the MINI. Spearman correlation analyses and binary logistic regression (univariate and multivariate) were performed to identify significant associations.
Results
A total of 60.7% of participants presented anxiety symptoms, 39% depressive symptoms, and 11.2% suicide risk. Multivariate factors associated with a higher likelihood of emotional distress included personal or family history of mental health problems (anxietyOR 2.30 and depressionOR 4.15), low social support (anxietyOR 2.25 and depressionOR 3.83), unstable romantic relationships (anxietyOR 2.03 and depressionOR 2.54), recent access to psychological care (anxietyOR 4.69 and depressionOR 4.15) and substance use (depressionOR 1.69). Suicide risk was additionally associated with migrant background (OR 3.24) and high-risk pregnancy (OR 1.81). Nulliparity showed a protective effect against depressive symptoms (OR 0.56).
Conclusion
The findings reveal a substantial emotional burden during pregnancy and underscore the central role of psychosocial determinants. Systematic perinatal mental health screening-including direct assessment of suicide risk-is recommended, along with interventions that integrate a biopsychosocial approach sensitive to the cultural and relational context of pregnant women.