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. 2016 Nov;76(11):1136–1156. doi: 10.1055/s-0042-118180

Table 3 Summary of the findings on factors affecting health-damaging behaviors and mental health problems during pregnancy.

Health-damaging behaviors Mental disorders
Nicotine consumption Alcohol consumption Malnutrition Excessive weight gain/obesity Depression Anxiety disorder
Note: Figures in square brackets refer to the sources. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are indicated in bold.
Social factors
  • younger maternal age (aged less than 25 years) 32, 61, 62

  • lower socio-economic status/level of education/income 32, 35, 51, 56, 57, 58, 61, 65, 68

  • single 57, 61, 67

  • characteristics of relationship with intimate partner (lack of support by partner 37, relationship conflicts 54, violence 65)

  • partner smokes 35

  • higher maternal age (aged more than 30 years) 36, 61, 63, 66

  • high level of education 60, 61

  • characteristics of relationship with intimate partner (partner is violent 65)

  • younger maternal age (aged less than 25 years) 78, 81, 84, 86, 87

  • immigrant background 77, 81, 86

  • inconsistent data with regard to age 71, 74, 80, 83

  • single 74, 77, 81, 86

  • lack of social support 39

  • inconsistent data with regard to age 45, 46, 48

  • single 46

  • characteristics of relationship with intimate partner (lack of support by partner 45, 46, 50, conflicts 50, violence 45, 47, 48)

  • partner smokes/drinks 50

  • lack of social support 46 ,  48 ,  50 ]

  • young maternal age (aged less than 25 years) 49

  • single 46, 49

  • characteristics of relationship with intimate partner (lack of support by partner 45, 46, 50, conflicts 49, 50, violence 45, 47)

  • lack of social support 46,  49 ,  50 ]

Psychological factors
  • prenatal depression/anxiety 51, 53, 54, 59, 68

  • stress/critical life events 54

  • experience of abuse/ill-treatment 36

  • stress/critical life events 52

  • prenatal depression/anxiety 38, 81, 87

  • stress/critical life events 38, 76

  • prenatal depression/anxiety 41,  42 ]

  • stress/critical life events 45,  48 ]

  • experience of ill-treatment/abuse 44,  47 ]

  • prior psychiatric disorder 45,  46 ,  49 ]

  • stress/critical life events 45

  • experience of ill-treatment/abuse 47

  • prior psychiatric disorder 45,  46 ,  49 ]

Health-related factors prior to the pregnancy
  • frequency and amount of nicotine consumption 35, 54, 65

  • consumption of drugs 62

  • frequency and amount of alcohol consumed 36, 55, 60, 66

  • consumption of drugs

  • 63

  • overweight/obese 81, 84, 85

Health-related factors during pregnancy
  • alcohol consumption 51, 58, 62

  • nicotine consumption 72, 74

  • lack of exercise 69, 80, 83

  • nicotine consumption 45

Pregnancy-specific factors
  • high number of previous births (more than 2) 32, 35, 56, 57, 65, 67

  • unplanned pregnancy 51, 62, 67

  • inadequate prenatal care 32, 35, 61

  • high number of previous births (more than 2) 36, 61, 65

  • unplanned pregnancy 55, 60

  • pregnancy complications 51

  • high number of previous births (more than 2) 78, 79, 81, 82, 84, 86

  • unplanned pregnancy 86

  • unintended pregnancy 43,  45 ,  46 ]

  • previous pregnancy complications/pregnancy loss 45

  • unintended pregnancy 45,  46 ,  49 ]

  • previous pregnancy complications/pregnancy loss 45,  49 ]