Factors associated with perinatal anxiety in adolescents: A scoping review – Psychiatry AI: Real-Time AI Scoping Review

AI Summary

Interpersonal and social factors strongly increase adolescent perinatal anxiety, notably lack of partner or family support, pregnancy stigma, intimate partner violence and adverse childhood experiences.
Low education attainment, low income, limited pregnancy and newborn knowledge, and fears about parenting capacity associate with increased perinatal anxiety in adolescents.
Supportive partners and families, positive healthcare experiences, resilience and self-care identify as protective and guide targeted prevention and treatment strategies.

AI Summary

We aimed to identify key factors associated with perinatal anxiety and related disorders in adolescents in the existing literature.

Factors associated with perinatal anxiety fit into 6 categories: (1) support, shame, and stigma; (2) traumatic events; (3) social determinants; (4) pregnancy and birth; (5) intrapersonal factors; and (6) psychiatric history.

Variables most strongly associated with increased perinatal anxiety were a lack of positive partner and family support, pregnancy-related stigma, adverse childhood experiences, intimate partner violence, lack of knowledge around pregnancy and newborn health, fears about the capacity to raise a child, and having limited education attainment and a low income.

Basic summary

J Psychiatr Res. 2026 Jul 17;201:563-574. doi: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2026.07.008. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Adolescents experience high rates of perinatal anxiety disorders. Understanding the factors that contribute to perinatal anxiety among adolescents is important to develop targeted approaches to prevention, identification, and treatment. We aimed to identify key factors associated with perinatal anxiety and related disorders in adolescents in the existing literature.

METHODS: In this scoping review, we systematically searched four databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO) from their inception to December 2023. Included studies examined variables associated with perinatal anxiety (between conception and 1 year postpartum) in adolescents (19 and under and/or young mothers). Anxiety was defined as inclusive of anxiety, obsessive-compulsive and trauma- and stressor-related disorders and their symptoms. Factors associated with perinatal anxiety were organized into thematic categories and described.

RESULTS: Of 39 included studies, 35 were conducted in higher-income countries. Factors associated with perinatal anxiety fit into 6 categories: (1) support, shame, and stigma; (2) traumatic events; (3) social determinants; (4) pregnancy and birth; (5) intrapersonal factors; and (6) psychiatric history. Variables most strongly associated with increased perinatal anxiety were a lack of positive partner and family support, pregnancy-related stigma, adverse childhood experiences, intimate partner violence, lack of knowledge around pregnancy and newborn health, fears about the capacity to raise a child, and having limited education attainment and a low income. Key protective factors included supportive partners and families, positive healthcare experiences, positive self-perception, resilience, and self-care practices.

CONCLUSION: The identified factors associated with perinatal anxiety among adolescents can inform targeted interventions to improve outcomes.

PMID:42480275 | DOI:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2026.07.008

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