一項研究表明，如果孕婦在懷孕期間壓力過大，她們的孩子在 30 歲之前患上人格障礙的可能性要比普通人高出近十倍。這項報告稱，即使是適度的長期壓力也可能會對胎兒的發育產生影響，這個影響在嬰兒出生后仍會繼續。

One in twenty people is thought to have a personality disorder, which can make them over-anxious or paranoid, for example, and normal life difficult．

每 20 個人中就有一個人被認為有人格障礙。例如，這會使他們過度焦慮或偏執，使正常的生活變得困難。

This study concluded that prolonged high levels of stress during pregnancy could increase the risk of children developing these disorders later in life.

這項研究的結論是，懷孕期間長期的高強度壓力會增加孩子日后患上這些疾病的風險。

The researchers see children exposed to severe maternal stress were at greatest risk, but that even moderate stress increased the risk fourfold. Experts say many other factors contribute to mental disorders, such as how children are brought up and any trauma they may experience.

研究人員發現，母親承受過巨大壓力的兒童患病風險最大，但即使是適度的壓力也會使兒童患病風險增加四倍。專家們認為，還有許多其它因素也會導致精神障礙，包括兒童的成長方式以及他們可能經歷的任何創傷。

The Royal College of Psychiatrists said the study showed the importance of ensuring women had access to mental health services during and after pregnancy. It said support in this area had improved in recent years and should continue.

英國皇家精神科醫學院表示，這項研究證明了確保女性在懷孕期間和懷孕后獲得心理健康服務的重要性。近年來在這方面的支持有所改善，且應該延續下去。

詞匯

personality disorder 人格障礙
paranoid 多疑的，偏執的
prolonged 長期的，延續時間久的
pregnancy 懷孕
developing 患（病）
exposed to 遭受……
maternal 母親的
moderate 適度的
trauma 精神、心理創傷
ensuring 確保
mental health services 心理健康服務

閱讀理解：請在讀完上文后，回答下列問題。

1. True or false? The Royal College of Psychiatrists said mental health support to pregnant women and new mothers had not improved over the years.

2. What could prolonged high levels of stress during pregnancy cause, according to the study?

3. Apart from maternal stress, what other factors do experts think also contribute to mental disorders in children?

4. Which adverb in the text means ‘by four times’?

答案

1. True or false? The Royal College of Psychiatrists said mental health support to pregnant women and new mothers had not improved over the years.
False. It said that support in this area had improved in recent years and should continue.

2. What could prolonged high levels of stress during pregnancy cause, according to the study?
According to the study, it could increase the risk of children developing these disorders later in life.

3. Apart from maternal stress, what other factors do experts think also contribute to mental disorders in children?
Experts think how children are brought up and any trauma they may experience also contribute to mental disorders.

4. Which adverb in the text means ‘by four times’?
Fourfold.