A2 Refereed review article in a scientific journal
Perinatal mental health: how nordic data sources have contributed to existing evidence and future avenues to explore
Authors: Karalexi Maria A., Eberhard-Gran Malin, Valdimarsdóttir Unnur Anna, Karlsson Hasse, Munk-Olsen Trine, Skalkidou Alkistis
Publisher: TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD
Publication year: 2022
Journal: Nordic Journal of Psychiatry
Journal name in source: NORDIC JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY
Journal acronym: NORD J PSYCHIAT
Volume: 76
Issue: 6
First page : 423
Last page: 432
Number of pages: 10
ISSN: 0803-9488
eISSN: 1502-4725
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/08039488.2021.1998616
Web address : https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08039488.2021.1998616
Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/174766821
Purpose Perinatal mental health disorders affect a significant number of women with debilitating and potentially life-threatening consequences. Researchers in Nordic countries have access to high quality, population-based data sources and the possibility to link data, and are thus uniquely positioned to fill current evidence gaps. We aimed to review how Nordic studies have contributed to existing evidence on perinatal mental health. Methods We summarized examples of published evidence on perinatal mental health derived from large population-based longitudinal and register-based data from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Results Nordic datasets, such as the Danish National Birth Cohort, the FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, the Icelandic SAGA cohort, the Norwegian MoBa and ABC studies, as well as the Swedish BASIC and Mom2B studies facilitate the study of prevalence of perinatal mental disorders, and further provide opportunity to prospectively test etiological hypotheses, yielding comprehensive suggestions about the underlying causal mechanisms. The large sample size, extensive follow-up, multiple measurement points, large geographic coverage, biological sampling and the possibility to link data to national registries renders them unique. The use of novel approaches, such as the digital phenotyping data in the novel application-based Mom2B cohort recording even voice qualities and digital phenotyping, or the Danish study design paralleling a natural experiment are considered strengths of such research. Conclusions Nordic data sources have contributed substantially to the existing evidence, and can guide future work focused on the study of background, genetic and environmental factors to ultimately define vulnerable groups at risk for psychiatric disorders following childbirth.
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