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 18–58 years were included. Two studies focused on the perinatal period, the rest on parents with children aged 0–21 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

What this paper adds?

This review is the first to systematically synthesise evidence demonstrating elevated risks of mental disorders among parents with intellectual disabilities (ID), showing that around half of parents experience a psychiatric disorder, with depression affecting 38% of mothers, anxiety 26%, and psychosis 9% — rates higher than in the general population and non-parent individuals with ID. It highlights the substantial mental health burden faced by this group and identifies major gaps in the literature, including limited research on fathers, postpartum mental health, studies based on larger samples and studies from low- and middle-income countries. In doing so, this paper provides a foundation for future research and highlights the need for targeted, evidence-based interventions and tailored mental health screening and support for parents with ID, particularly during the perinatal period.

Highlights

• There are high rates of mental disorders in parents with intellectual disabilities

• Half of parents with intellectual disabilities have psychiatric disorders

• Research gaps exist on postpartum health and fathers with intellectual disabilities

• There is urgent need for tailored mental healthcare in reproductive health services