Long-term effects of unintended pregnancy on children: Findings from the Dutch prospective birth-cohort Amsterdam born children and their development study.

Autor: Beumer WY; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Electronic address: w.beumer@amsterdamumc.nl., Koot MH; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands., Vrijkotte T; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Public and Occupational Health, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands; Amsterdam Public Health, Amsterdam, the Netherlands., Roseboom TJ; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Epidemiology and Data Science, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands., van Ditzhuijzen J; Amsterdam UMC location University of Amsterdam, Obstetrics and Gyneacology, Meibergdreef 9, Amsterdam, Netherlands; Utrecht University, Interdisciplinary Social Science, Social Policy and Public Health, Heidelberglaan 1, Utrecht, Netherlands; Amsterdam Reproduction and Development, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: Social science & medicine (1982) [Soc Sci Med] 2024 Sep; Vol. 357, pp. 117200. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Aug 08.
DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2024.117200
Abstrakt: Several studies investigated short-term risks of children born from unintended pregnancies, however evidence about long-term risks is lacking. We aimed to examine whether children born from unintended pregnancies experience psychosocial problems up into adolescence. This study is based on the longitudinal birth cohort study 'Amsterdam Born Children and their Development' (n = 7784). Unintended pregnancy was measured as a multidimensional construct, based on self-reports on the extent of pregnancy mistiming ('This pregnancy happened too soon'), unwantedness ('I did not want to be pregnant (anymore)') and unhappiness ('I am happy to be pregnant'; recoded). Further, children's psychosocial problems were measured with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, at 5-6, 11-12 and 15-16 years old. Multiple over-time associations between unintended pregnancy and children's psychosocial problems were analysed using Structural Equation Modelling, while controlling for confounders. Results showed that pregnancy mistiming was a significant predictor of internalizing (β = 0.10, p < 0.001) and externalizing problems (β = 0.07, p = 0.006) and unwanted pregnancy of internalizing problems (β = 0.13, p < 0.001) at 5-6 years. These associations were substantially mediated by maternal mental health and poorer maternal bonding. Associations were no longer present at 11-12 and 15-16 years. Thus, we conclude that children born from unintended pregnancies experience more psychosocial problems at 5-6 years, but no longer at 11-12 and 15-16 years. Unintended pregnancies often coincide with maternal mental health problems and socioeconomic factors. Most importantly, the associations between unintended pregnancy and children's psychosocial problems are influenced by maternal mental health and poorer bonding. Therefore it is important to improve maternal mental health and bonding for the benefit of both mother and child, rather than on the isolated effect of unintended pregnancy per se.
(Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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