Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Scott, Justin K.
• Gianelle, Maria
• Flanagan, Vivian
• Jones Harden, Brenda
• Morrison, Colleen
• Kilmer, Ryan P
• Coker, Kendell L

Titel

Barriers to Health Care and Pregnancy Experiences in Relation to Black, Low-Income Mothers' Perinatal Attachment and Depression

Ist Teil von

• American journal of orthopsychiatry, 2024, Vol.94 (3), p.274-286

Ort / Verlag

United States: Educational Publishing Foundation

Erscheinungsjahr

2024

Quelle

MEDLINE

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• The goal of this study was to examine whether barriers to accessing health care and negative pregnancy experiences would predict depressive symptomatology and attachment to their neonates among Black mothers from low-income backgrounds across the perinatal period. We were also interested in examining whether these mothers' engagement in prenatal health practices would buffer against their pregnancy experiences to promote positive postnatal maternal functioning. Participants were 118 Black pregnant women from low-income backgrounds, recruited from WIC and Early Head Start programs. A prenatal assessment between 28 and 40 weeks gestation measured pregnancy experiences and prenatal health practices, and a postnatal assessment about 4 weeks postpartum measured maternal functioning in the form of depressive symptoms and attachment to their neonates. Linear regressions with prenatal health practices included as a moderator suggested that while engaging in positive health practices during pregnancy could potentially buffer against negative pregnancy experiences and prenatal depressive symptoms, it is unlikely to buffer against barriers to accessing health care. These results imply the need to provide support for accessing health care among pregnant women to address disparities in the United States. Public Policy Relevance Statement Barriers to accessing health care experienced by Black pregnant mothers from low-income backgrounds were significantly related to lower maternal functioning across the perinatal period. The results of this study highlight the need for increased access to health care.