Self-harm thoughts in postpartum women in Lithuania: prevalence and associated factors
Abstract
Background: Postpartum mental health problems are a critical public health concern, with serious consequences including self-harm and adverse outcomes for both mother and child. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-harm thoughts and associated factors among postpartum women in Lithuania.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in autumn 2024 using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed via social media. The survey included socio-demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial variables, a question on self-harm thoughts, and assessment of postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A total of 1,010 women within six months postpartum participated. Mann–Whitney and Fisher’s exact tests were used.
Results: Overall, 18.7% reported self-harm thoughts. These were reported by 2.4% of women without postpartum depression and 32% of those with postpartum depression (p < 0.001). Higher prevalence was observed among women with a history of pregnancy termination (p = 0.008), prior mental health care (p < 0.001), alcohol use postpartum (p < 0.001), and smoking (p < 0.001). Married women reported such thoughts more often than those in non-registered partnerships (p = 0.02). Breastfeeding and partner/family support were protective (p = 0.03; p < 0.001). No associations were found with age, education, socioeconomic status, physical activity, number of pregnancies, residence, miscarriage history, pregnancy complications, or newborn health.
Conclusions: Nearly one in five women experienced self-harm thoughts within six months postpartum. Women with postpartum depression had a markedly higher prevalence (32% vs 2.4%). Behavioral factors and lack of psychosocial support increased risk, while social support was protective.
Key messages: • Self-harm thoughts affect nearly one in five women within six months postpartum and are strongly associated with postpartum depression.
• Psychosocial support and modifiable health behaviors play an important role in reducing self-harm risk during the postpartum period.
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BibTeX
@article{stanislavovienė2026selfharm,
title = {{Self-harm thoughts in postpartum women in Lithuania: prevalence and associated factors}},
author = {J Stanislavovienė and M Orlenkovič and G Norvaišaitė and P Purlys and M Jakubauskienė},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1722},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1722},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Self-harm thoughts in postpartum women in Lithuania: prevalence and associated factors
AU - J Stanislavovienė
AU - M Orlenkovič
AU - G Norvaišaitė
AU - P Purlys
AU - M Jakubauskienė
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1722
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1722
AB - Background: Postpartum mental health problems are a critical public health concern, with serious consequences including self-harm and adverse outcomes for both mother and child. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of self-harm thoughts and associated factors among postpartum women in Lithuania. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in autumn 2024 using an anonymous online questionnaire distributed via social media. The survey included socio-demographic, behavioral, and psychosocial variables, a question on self-harm thoughts, and assessment of postpartum depression using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. A total of 1,010 women within six months postpartum participated. Mann–Whitney and Fisher’s exact tests were used. Results: Overall, 18.7% reported self-harm thoughts. These were reported by 2.4% of women without postpartum depression and 32% of those with postpartum depression (p < 0.001). Higher prevalence was observed among women with a history of pregnancy termination (p = 0.008), prior mental health care (p < 0.001), alcohol use postpartum (p < 0.001), and smoking (p < 0.001). Married women reported such thoughts more often than those in non-registered partnerships (p = 0.02). Breastfeeding and partner/family support were protective (p = 0.03; p < 0.001). No associations were found with age, education, socioeconomic status, physical activity, number of pregnancies, residence, miscarriage history, pregnancy complications, or newborn health. Conclusions: Nearly one in five women experienced self-harm thoughts within six months postpartum. Women with postpartum depression had a markedly higher prevalence (32% vs 2.4%). Behavioral factors and lack of psychosocial support increased risk, while social support was protective. Key messages: • Self-harm thoughts affect nearly one in five women within six months postpartum and are strongly associated with postpartum depression. • Psychosocial support and modifiable health behaviors play an important role in reducing self-harm risk during the postpartum period.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -