Scoping Review of the Associations Between Perinatal Substance Use and Perinatal Depression and Anxiety

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate published literature on the associations between perinatal substance use (PSU), perinatal depression and anxiety (PDA), and known maternal-newborn outcomes.

Data sources: We conducted a systematic search of health-related databases, including PubMed, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and Embase. Search terms included maternal mental health, substance use, postpartum, opioid, alcohol, methamphetamine, addiction, dependence, pregnancy, depression, and anxiety.

Study selection: We included English-language, peer-reviewed reports of primary research and systematic reviews that were published between 2010 and 2020 and focused on PSU and PDA. We excluded commentaries, nonsystematic reviews, and articles on maternal mental health other than PDA. Fourteen of 379 articles met the inclusion criteria.

Data extraction: We used the Joanna Briggs Institute Review Guidelines to guide extraction of the following data: author(s), year of publication, type of study, country of origin, study sample, targeted substance(s), mental health, key findings, and recommendation(s).

Data synthesis: In studies of PSU, researchers identified a strong association with PDA. Likewise, researchers investigating PDA found a strong association with PSU. Findings from these articles suggest an increasing risk for PSU with increasing severity of PDA, depending on the specific substances of use. Findings also indicated that women with polysubstance use have greater odds for comorbid perinatal mental health conditions. A relationship between PSU and PDA and adverse newborn outcomes, such as low birth weight, was found.

Conclusion: There is a paucity of published research on co-occurring PSU and PDA. However, polysubstance use appears to be associated with the greatest risk for PDA. It is essential to address PSU and PDA together to better understand the effects on maternal and infant outcomes.

Keywords: anxiety; depression; maternal mental health; opioid; perinatal; postpartum; pregnancy; substance use.