Prevalence of Mental Disorders in Parents with Intellectual Disabilities: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background Research indicates that increasing numbers of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are becoming parents. Parents with ID face multiple contextual factors that elevate mental health risks during the perinatal period. Mental disorders in this period can significantly impact parents, their children, and the wider support network. Aim This systematic review summarises the prevalence of mental disorders in parents with ID during pregnancy, post-partum, and parenthood, comparing rates with the general population and non-parents with ID. Methods Studies included individuals with clinically diagnosed ID who had experienced pregnancy or parenthood and reported prevalence of specific mental disorders. Searches of MEDLINE, APA PsycINFO, EMBASE, and grey literature were conducted to May 2025. Risk of bias was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. Findings were synthesised narratively, with meta analysis where possible. Results Ten studies involving 42,207 individuals aged 18 to 58 years were included. Two studies focused on the perinatal period, the rest on parents with children aged 0 to 21 years. Across studies, approximately half of parents with ID experienced a psychiatric disorder. Depression was most common, affecting 38% (95% CI: 26-50%) mothers, anxiety 26% (95% CI: 26-26%), and psychosis 9% (95% CI: 3-14%). Rates are higher than in the general population and non-parent individuals with ID. Conclusion This review is the first to document elevated mental disorders among parents with ID. Findings highlight the need for tailored screening and support in reproductive healthcare, addressing stigma, and guiding further research to inform targeted interventions. PROSPERO registration number 1020203