Change in Cholesterol Level During Pregnancy and Risk of Postpartum Depressive Symptoms: the JECS Study

Background: This study examined the relationship between racial identity clusters and postpartum depressive symptoms (PPDS) in Black postpartum mothers living in Georgia. Aims: A cross-sectional study design using Cross’s nigrescence theory as a framework was used to explore the relationship between Black racial identity and PPDS. Method: Black mothers were administered online questionnaires via Qualtrics. A total sample of 116 self-identified Black mothers were enrolled in the study. Participants ranged in age from 18 to 41 years ( M = 29.5 ± 5.3) and their infants were 1 to 12 months old ( M = 5.6 ± 3.5). The majority of mothers were married or cohabitating with their partner (71%), had a college degree (53%), and worked full-time (57%). Results: Hierarchical cluster analysis identified six racial identity clusters within the sample: Assimilated and Miseducated, Self-Hating, Anti-White, Multiculturalist, Low Race Salience, and Conflicted. A Kruskal-Wallis H test determined there was no difference in PPDS scores between racial identity clusters. Conclusion: This study is the first to explore the relationship between Black racial identity clusters of postpartum mothers and their mental health. Findings emphasize the complexity of Black racial identity and suggest that the current assessment tools may not adequately detect PPDS in Black mothers. The implications for these findings in nursing practice and future research are discussed.

Download Full-text

Language Proficiency and Migrant–Native Disparities in Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18094782 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (9) ◽

pp. 4782

Author(s):

Sousan Hamwi ◽

Elsa Lorthe ◽

Henrique Barros

Keyword(s):

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Language Proficiency ◽

Help Seeking ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Migrant Women ◽

Prevention Measures ◽

Native Women ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Postpartum Depressive Symptoms

Migrant women have a higher risk of developing postpartum depressive symptoms (PPDS) than do native women. This study aimed to investigate the role of host-country language proficiency in this disparity. We analysed the data of 1475 migrant and 1415 native women who gave birth at a Portuguese public hospital between 2017 and 2019 and were participants in the baMBINO cohort study. Migrants’ language proficiency was self-rated and comprised understanding, speaking, reading, and writing skills. PPDS were assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale with a cut-off score of ≥10. Multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to estimate the association between language proficiency and PPDS. PPDS were experienced by 7.2% of native women and 12.4% among migrants (p < 0.001). Increasing proportions of PPDS were observed among decreasing Portuguese proficiency levels; 11% among full, 13% among intermediate, and 18% among limited proficiency women (ptrend < 0.001). Full (aOR 1.63 (95% CI 1.21–2.19)), intermediate (aOR 1.68 (95% CI 1.16–2.42)), and limited (aOR 2.55 (95% CI 1.64–3.99)) language proficiencies were associated with increasingly higher odds of PPDS among migrant women, compared to native proficiency. Prevention measures should target migrant women at high risk of PPDS, namely those with limited language skills, and promote awareness, early detection, and help-seeking, in addition to facilitating communication in their perinatal healthcare encounters.

Download Full-text