Analyses in the SELMA (Swedish Environmental Longitudinal, Mother and child, Asthma and allergy) study have shown that prenatal exposure to endocrine disrupting chemicals, i.e. chemicals that disturb hormonal signalling, is associated with behavioural difficulties in 7 years old children, suggesting a role for these chemicals and the hormonal pathways they affect in shaping children’s behaviour.
Results from the BASIC (Biology, Affect, Stress, Imaging and Cognition) study in Sweden have shown that the levels of the hormone allopregnanolone during pregnancy is linked to depressive symptoms just before or after giving birth. Furthermore, in this cohort, first molecular signatures were identified that are changed in the context of depressive symptoms during and after pregnancy. These were mainly linked to immune system functions.
A secondary analysis of perceived causes of depression in Germany and the USA comparing genetic, social, and individual responsibility attributions regarding the onset of depression has led to the conclusion that in both countries, social responsibility attributions, i.e. that the social environment is mainly responsible for the onset of depression, is highest. Regarding stigmatization, this result is promising since a social responsibility does not put blame on people with depression, thus, self-stigmatization could be reduced. This is highly relevant since depression is one of the most prevalent mental illnesses in Europe with serious consequences, e.g. suicide, job loss, sick leaves, poor living quality, and other health-related and societal aspects.
