Cannabis Use During Pregnancy Was Independently Linked to Postpartum PTSD and Depression
Both cannabis use and intimate partner violence during pregnancy were independently associated with worse postpartum mental health, with cannabis use linked to elevated PTSD and depression symptoms at 6 months postpartum.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use during pregnancy was significantly associated with elevated postpartum PTSD (beta = 0.25) and depression symptoms, independent of IPV victimization. IPV was associated with all three outcomes: PTSD (beta = 0.21), depression (beta = 0.17), and anxiety (beta = 0.21). The interaction between cannabis and IPV was not significant, indicating independent rather than synergistic effects.
Key Numbers
N = 257 women. Cannabis use: PTSD beta = 0.25 (p < 0.001), depression significant. IPV: PTSD beta = 0.21 (p = 0.005), depression beta = 0.17 (p = 0.022), anxiety beta = 0.21 (p = 0.008). Cannabis x IPV interaction: not significant.
How They Did This
Prospective cohort of 257 women assessed at three points during pregnancy for IPV and cannabis use, then at 6 months postpartum for PTSD, depression, and anxiety symptoms. Linear regression analyses tested main effects and the interaction between cannabis use and IPV.
Why This Research Matters
Cannabis use during pregnancy is rising, and this study shows it may carry mental health risks for mothers beyond the well-documented concerns about fetal effects. The independence of cannabis and IPV effects means that addressing one risk factor does not eliminate the other.
The Bigger Picture
The finding that cannabis use and IPV are independent risk factors suggests that prenatal screening should address both issues separately. Women experiencing IPV may use cannabis as a coping mechanism, but the study suggests this does not explain the cannabis-mental health link.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Observational design cannot prove cannabis caused worse postpartum outcomes. Women using cannabis during pregnancy may have unmeasured risk factors. Self-reported cannabis use may be underreported due to stigma. The study cannot determine whether stopping cannabis would improve outcomes.
Questions This Raises
- ?Does cannabis use during pregnancy cause postpartum mental health problems, or does it signal pre-existing vulnerability?
- ?Would cessation support during pregnancy improve postpartum outcomes?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cannabis use during pregnancy independently predicted postpartum PTSD (beta = 0.25)
- Evidence Grade:
- Prospective cohort with multiple pregnancy assessments and postpartum follow-up. Moderate evidence given the observational design and potential unmeasured confounders.
- Study Age:
- Published in 2025.
- Original Title:
- Cannabis Use and Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy Are Associated with Poorer Postpartum Mental Health.
- Published In:
- American journal of perinatology (2025)
- Authors:
- Marvin, Matthew J, Ballinger, Alexandra L, Stein, Sara F, Fairchild, Jewelian N, Bogat, G Anne, Lonstein, Joseph S, Nuttall, Amy K, Muzik, Maria, Levendosky, Alytia A
- Database ID:
- RTHC-07071
Evidence Hierarchy
Enrolls participants and follows them forward in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
Does cannabis during pregnancy cause postpartum depression?
The study found an association but cannot prove causation. Women who use cannabis during pregnancy had higher postpartum PTSD and depression symptoms, but pre-existing mental health factors may contribute to both the cannabis use and the postpartum outcomes.
Did domestic violence and cannabis use make each other worse?
No. The interaction was not significant, meaning cannabis use and IPV each contributed independently to postpartum mental health problems. Having both risk factors did not produce a worse-than-expected combined effect.
Read More on RethinkTHC
Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-07071APA
Marvin, Matthew J; Ballinger, Alexandra L; Stein, Sara F; Fairchild, Jewelian N; Bogat, G Anne; Lonstein, Joseph S; Nuttall, Amy K; Muzik, Maria; Levendosky, Alytia A. (2025). Cannabis Use and Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy Are Associated with Poorer Postpartum Mental Health.. American journal of perinatology. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2761-1601
MLA
Marvin, Matthew J, et al. "Cannabis Use and Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy Are Associated with Poorer Postpartum Mental Health.." American journal of perinatology, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2761-1601
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Cannabis Use and Intimate Partner Violence During Pregnancy ..." RTHC-07071. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/marvin-2025-cannabis-use-and-intimate
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.