This longitudinal study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, investigates the relationship between maternal cannabis use disorder (CUD) during the perinatal period and the risk of anxiety disorders in offspring. Drawing on a large linked dataset of over 220,000 births in New South Wales, Australia, the researchers found that children exposed to maternal CUD—both during pregnancy and postpartum—had significantly elevated risks of developing anxiety disorders, particularly PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder. Even after adjusting for socioeconomic, medical, and psychiatric confounders, the associations remained strong, suggesting maternal CUD is an independent risk factor. The findings underscore the importance of early intervention and perinatal counselling to mitigate long-term mental health impacts on children.
Reflection for FASD Prevention Conversation Facilitators
This study is a reminder of how cannabis use during pregnancy and postpartum can have lasting effects on a child’s mental health, especially increasing their risk for anxiety disorders like PTSD and generalized anxiety. For us as FASD Prevention Conversation Facilitators, it reinforces why open, honest conversations about substance use in the perinatal period matter.
Many people use cannabis to cope with things like stress or nausea in pregnancy, and they may not realize the long-term impacts. That’s where we come in—to provide support, not judgment, and help folks make informed choices. This research can help guide our messaging when talking about the risks, especially when working with individuals who may be facing other challenges. It also highlights the importance of connecting people to the right supports, mental health care, harm reduction, and prenatal services, early on.