Archives of Women's Mental Health - Editor's Pick - journal highlights (Spring 2022)
Archives of Women's Mental Health publishes the latest research and review articles on current topics in a wide range of specialty areas. Here are some of highlights published in 2022 Spring, handpicked by the Editor-in-Chief Anita Riecher-Rössler.
Psychiatric training in perinatal mental health across Europe (this opens in a new tab)
Marisa Casanova Dias, Ekin Sönmez Güngör, Sean Naughton, Howard Ryland, Thomas Gargot, Mariana Pinto da Costa, Athanasios Kanellopoulos, Franziska Baessler & Livia De Picker
Perinatal mental illness is associated with considerable maternal and infant morbidity and mortality. However, there are currently no specific guidelines on the standards and structure of postgraduate perinatal psychiatric training in Europe. We describe the characteristics of available and desired specialist perinatal psychiatry training from the perspective of European psychiatrists in training. An online survey was conducted among 34 national psychiatric trainee association representatives of the European Federation of Psychiatric Trainees (EFPT). Only 6 countries out of 34 (18%) reported that specialist training in perinatal mental health was available (Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Malta, and the UK). Given the prevalence and impact of perinatal mental illness and the expressed desires of trainees themselves for specialist training, this finding should prompt urgent action.
Diversity in high-impact psychiatric publishing: gender parity within reach? (this opens in a new tab)
Gmeiner Andrea, Trimmel Melanie, Gaglia-Essletzbichler Amy, Schrank Beate, Süßenbacher-Kessler Stefanie & Amering Michaela
This study assessed the progress of authorship gender distribution in 3 high-impact psychiatric journals. starting in 1994. In 2019 a total of 473 articles were published. Forty percent of all authors, 42% of first authors, and 29% of senior authors were female. In the 25-year period between 1994 and 2019, female authorship has increased. Geographic diversity was low and did not change over time. Senior female authorship and geographic diversity remain areas of concern. that need further investigation and specific interventions.
Disentangling early and late onset of psychosis in women: identifying new targets for treatment (this opens in a new tab)
Alexandre Díaz-Pons, Alexandre González-Rodríguez, Victor Ortiz-García de la Foz, Mary V. Seeman, Benedicto Crespo-Facorro & Rosa Ayesa-Arriola
Women present a second peak of incidence of psychosis during the menopausal transition, partially explained by the loss of estrogen protection conferred during the reproductive years. In a large sample of 294 first-episode psychosis (FEP) differences between women with early onset of psychosis (EOP) and those with late onset of psychosis (LOP) were assessed. Women with LOP presented with less severe negative symptoms and higher cognitive processing speed than women with EOP. Cannabis and alcohol use was greater in EOP than in LOP women.
The influence of maternal psychological distress on the mode of birth and duration of labor: findings from the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study (this opens in a new tab)
Kuuri-Riutta Sanni, Ekholm Eeva, Scheinin M. Noora, Korhonen S. Laura, Karlsson Linnea & Karlsson Hasse
Depression during pregnancy, general anxiety symptoms, and pregnancy-related anxiety can affect pregnancy outcomes. In the population based FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study now 3619 women with singleton pregnancies were analyzed. They show that maternal anxiety symptoms are associated with elective cesarean section and psychological distress increases the use of epidural analgesia. Screening for anxiety symptoms during pregnancy seems important to identify women at risk.
Depressive symptoms during pregnancy and after birth in women living in Sweden who received treatments for fear of birth (this opens in a new tab)
Ingegerd Hildingsson & Christine Rubertsson
This study investigated the prevalence of depressive symptoms in women who underwent treatments for fear of birth. 32% of the 422 women with fear of birth also reported depressive symptoms. At 2 months after birth 19% reported depressive symptoms. A history of mental health problems was the strongest risk factor for depressive symptoms. None of the treatment options in this study was superior in reducing depressive symptoms. This study showed a significant overlap between fear of birth and depressive symptoms. Screening for depressive symptoms and fear of birth during pregnancy is important to identify women at risk and offer specific treatment.