From childhood to motherhood: The legacy of adversity on the mental health of pregnant women

Adverse Childhood experiences (ACEs) have been widely associated with long-term difficulties. However, their impact during the prenatal period remains unexplored, particularly in non-English-speaking populations. This study aims to examine the cumulative and differential effects of ACEs on several psychological and physical health indicators during pregnancy. A total of 306 pregnant women (mean age = 34.69; SD = 3.91) provided retrospective information on ACEs and current information about depressive symptoms, adjustment to pregnancy, physical illness, psychological problems, and therapy attendance. ACE exposure significantly predicted depressive symptoms, maladjustment to pregnancy, psychological problems and therapy attendance. Among specific ACEs, emotional neglect emerged as the strongest predictor of these mental health outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of identifying and addressing ACEs in pregnant women. Integrating ACEs-informed approaches into prenatal care and implementing routine prenatal screening could help detect at-risk women and provide support to improve maternal and infant outcomes.