Risk Factors for Prenatal Anxiety in European Women: A Review

Abstract

Background: Prenatal anxiety is a common problem affecting a large number of women. The presence of anxiety during pregnancy is associated with adverse consequences for both the mother and the baby. The main objective of this review was to determine the risk factors associated with anxiety during pregnancy in European women. Specifically, we wanted to know if these factors are the same as those found in other continents and if they are similar to those associated with depression during this stage. Methods: A literature review was carried out on studies that were published in the last 10 years in the PsycInfo, Medline, and SCOPUS databases. Thirteen studies were selected for the purposes of this review. Results: Sociodemographic risk factors associated with a higher level of anxiety during pregnancy included having a lower educational level and socioeconomic status. Obstetric and pregnancy-related risk factors included having had complications during pregnancy. Having a history of mental health problems, low social support, high levels of stress, and being exposed to adverse life events were the most relevant psychological factors for presenting prenatal anxiety. Furthermore, these factors are largely common to those associated with prenatal anxiety in other continents of the world and to those associated with prenatal depression. Conclusions: This review shows that there are multiple factors that contribute to women experiencing prenatal anxiety. Most can be identified at the beginning of pregnancy, and some factors, such as psychological ones, are potentially modifiable. This underlines the importance of carrying out a proper screening for anxiety during pregnancy in order to prevent its onset or treat it appropriately. Furthermore, the fact that risk factors are common for both prenatal anxiety and depression implies that the same intervention could reduce the probability of the onset of both pathologies and the possible consequences associated with them.

Keywords: anxiety; pregnancy; prenatal; review; risk factors; women.

Figure 1

Countries included in the review. Note. Dark blue: European countries for which studies of risk factors for prenatal anxiety were found; Light blue: European countries for which no studies of risk factors for prenatal anxiety were found; Gray: non-European countries.

Figure 2

PRISMA flow diagram for the scoping review process.