The association between subjective maternal stress during pregnancy and offspring clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders

Objective Exposure to prenatal stress is a ubiquitous and non‐specific risk factor for adverse outcomes in adulthood. In this study, we examined associations between exposure to subjective maternal stress during pregnancy and subsequent diagnosis of psychiatric disorders in offspring. Method This study used the Helsinki Longitudinal Temperament Cohort, a prospective birth cohort of individuals born between 1 July 1975 and 30 June 1976 in Helsinki, Finland. The sample for this study comprised 3626 infants whose mothers had completed health and well‐being assessments during pregnancy which included a measure of self‐reported stress. We ran logistic regressions to assess potential associations between prenatal stress and offspring psychiatric disorder in adulthood, identified through the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register. Results Individuals whose mothers reported stress during pregnancy had significantly greater odds of developing a psychiatric disorder (OR = 1.41, 95% CI = 1.10–1.81) particularly a mood disorder (OR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.10–2.54). These associations remained after adjusting for parental psychiatric history, and other prenatal factors. Conclusions Individuals exposed to prenatal stress had significantly increased risk of developing psychiatric disorders later in life. This finding highlights the importance of supporting the mental health and emotional well‐being of women during pregnancy.