JAPNA Article: Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Among Adolescents: A Comprehensive Review of Knowledge Gaps, Perinatal Mental Health Needs, Care Preferences, Access, and Pathways to Care - Jan-Feb 2026 (32.1)

Rates of perinatal anxiety (PNA) and perinatal depression (PND) are rising among pregnant and parenting adolescents (PPAs). This article reviews current research on perinatal mental health in this population, exploring knowledge and perceptions of PNA and PND, mental health needs, care preferences, and barriers to accessing care. The authors aim to strengthen understanding of PNA and PND in PPAs to inform the development of culturally relevant interventions, reduce maternal morbidity and mortality, and ultimately improve health outcomes for both mothers and infants.

Authors: Olajumoke A. Ojeleye, RN, RM, Ph.D.; Ronee Wilson, Ph.D., MPH, CPH; Ukamaka M. Oruche, Ph.D., RN, PMHCNS-BC, FAAN

Disclosures: The APNA planner and authors have no relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or off-label uses to disclose.

Target Audience: RN, APRN

Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this article, the reader will be able to:

1. Identify at least three barriers adolescents face in accessing perinatal mental health care and explain strategies to tailor interventions to their developmental and psychosocial needs.

Key Takeaways: 

1. Pregnant and parenting adolescents (PPAs) require culturally grounded, developmentally sensitive PMH care that reflects their lived experiences and care preferences.
2. There is a need for more research into how to better advance perinatal mental health care for pregnant and parenting adolescents.

Keywords: Perinatal Mental Health Disorders, Adolescents, Teen Pregnancy, Adolescent Motherhood, Perinatal Anxiety (PNA), Perinatal Depression (PND), Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents (PPAs), Antenatal Depression, Postpartum Depression

Nursing Continuing Professional Development:
1.25 contact hours. * In order to receive contact hours, you must: read the entire article, complete a reflection activity, an evaluation, and the honor statement before the expiration date. Once you have completed the activity, evaluation, and honor statement, your nursing continuing professional development certificate will be generated online and available for immediate printing. Credit cannot be earned unless all components of the program are completed.  

Release Date: January 1, 2026
Access to this course will end: February 29, 2028

The American Psychiatric Nurses Association is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.

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