Risk of major psychiatric disorder after adolescent pregnancy: A nationwide cohort study of 149,870 girls

Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2026 Mar 26. doi: 10.1111/pcn.70054. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

AIM: Adolescent pregnancy is a global public health concern associated with increased risks of physical health, mental well-being, and social functioning; however, its potential to increase the long-term risk of major psychiatric disorder (MPD) remains underexplored.

METHODS: Between 1996 and 2013, a cohort of 29,974 girls with adolescent pregnancy without MPD before and 1:4 matched controls based on age, family income, residence location, and individual psychiatric comorbidity were enrolled. A Cox regression model was used, adjusted for potential confounders, to estimate the risk of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depressive disorder (MDD).

RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding factors, adolescent pregnancy was associated with significantly increased risks of bipolar disorder (hazard ratio 1.44; 95% confidence interval 1.20-1.72) and MDD (1.88; 1.76-2.00), but not schizophrenia (0.94; 0.73-1.21), compared to the control group. These associations persisted after excluding the first 3 years of follow-up, with elevated risks of bipolar disorder (1.27; 1.05-1.54) and MDD (1.61; 1.50-1.72) among adolescents with pregnancy compared to controls.

CONCLUSIONS: These results underscore the importance of implementing long-term mental health surveillance strategies for young mothers who experience adolescent pregnancy.

PMID:41888021 | DOI:10.1111/pcn.70054