Children of women who experience severe stress during pregnancy are nearly 10 times more likely to develop a personality disorder by age 30, a study suggests.
Even moderate prolonged stress can have an impact on a child’s development and continue after birth.
More than 3,600 pregnant women in Finland were asked about their stress levels, and their children were then analyzed.
Psychiatrists say mothers should have access to mental health support.
Other important factors, such as the way children were raised, the family’s financial situation and trauma experienced during childhood, are known to contribute to the development of personality disorders and may have played a role.
