Maternal distress and hair cortisol in pregnancy among women with elevated adverse childhood experiences

Stress throughout the life-course is associated with a wide-range of adverse health outcomes. Accumulating evidence from animal and several human studies suggests that maternal distress and adversity experienced during pregnancy, including depression, anxiety, general and pregnancy-specific stress can increase the risk for impaired infant development.(Talge et al., 2007) Families in poverty, such as those participating in home visiting intervention programs, carry a high burden of adversity including increased early life stressors and family exposure to psychosocial stressors (e.g., violence, residential instability, food insecurity) and psychological distress (e.g., maternal depression, anxiety).
Source: Psychoneuroendocrinology - Category: Psychiatry Authors: Tags: Short Communication Source Type: research