Depression, Anxiety, and Substance Use Disorders and Treatment Receipt Among Pregnant Women in the United States: A Systematic Review of Trend and Population-Based Studies

Abstract

The objective of this systematic review was to synthesize findings of trend and population-based studies on depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders and treatment receipt among pregnant women in the United States. Twenty-eight articles (nine trend studies and 19 population-based studies) were included for review. Two trend studies showed that illicit drug use disorder increased in pregnant women over the past decade, particularly opioid and marijuana use disorders. Three studies reported an increase in treatment admissions for these disorders from 1992 to 2012; however, the overall treatment admission rate for pregnant women remained relatively stable at 4%. Three studies identified an increase in antidepressant use from 1995 to 2010 in pregnant women. Nine of 19 population-based studies revealed that White ethnicity, older reproductive age, college education, and health insurance coverage were associated with mental health and substance use treatment receipt among pregnant women. Further studies are warranted among a nationally representative sample of pregnant women.

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Elizabeth Smigieliski, MLS, MSN, RN for her help in developing the search strategy for the systematic review. We also appreciate suggestions on the manuscript provided by Drs. Martin Hall, Timothy Crawford, and Ruth Staten.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.