Research article summary (published 29 Apr 2006):

Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder in a community sample of low-income pregnant women.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in a community sample of low-income pregnant women who met the DSM-IV diagnostic criteria for the disorder. METHOD: Pregnant women (N=948) were screened for trauma, PTSD, depression, and co-occurring illicit substance use. PTSD symptoms were compared in traumatized pregnant women and a sample of nonpregnant traumatized women from the National Comorbidity Survey. RESULTS: Suicidal thoughts and a high degree of psychiatric comorbidity were common in pregnant women with PTSD. Pregnant women were selectively and significantly less likely to endorse reexperiencing symptoms of PTSD (29.5%, N=82), compared to nonpregnant women (79.4%, N=464). CONCLUSIONS: PTSD in pregnancy was associated with comorbidity, poor health behaviors, and lower recall of memory-related PTSD symptoms. Further prospective study is needed.

Author information

Author/s: Smith, Megan V (MV); Poschman, Karalee (K); Cavaleri, Mary A (MA); Howell, Heather B (HB); Yonkers, Kimberly A (KA);

Affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Yale University, 142 Temple St., Suite 301, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.

Grants: MH-01908-04 (Agency:NIMH NIH HHS)

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: The American journal of psychiatry (Am J Psychiatry), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-May; vol 163 (issue 5) : pp 881-4

Dates: Created 2006/05/01; Completed 2006/06/12; Revised 2007/11/14;

PMID: 16648330, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Connecticut - epidemiology Data Collection - statistics & numerical data Depressive Disorder - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology Diagnosis, Dual (Psychiatry) Female Health Behavior Humans Life Change Events Memory Disorders - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology Mental Recall

Odds Ratio Poverty - psychology; statistics & numerical data Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology Prevalence Prospective Studies Psychiatric Status Rating Scales - statistics & numerical data Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology Substance-Related Disorders - diagnosis; epidemiology; psychology Violence - psychology; statistics & numerical data

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