| Abstract |
Background: Black pregnant and postpartum women often experience structural racism in their daily lives (Perry et al., 2013). Research has found that structural racism is associated with adverse health and mental health effects for mother and child, which holds true both during pregnancy and throughout the lifespan (Wallace et al., 2015). However, limited data have examined different types of structural racism experiences and related effects on pregnancy and postpartum. Methods: As part of a larger study that utilized a culturally-infused stress and anxiety intervention, we collected data from 90 urban, low to no income, Black pregnant and postpartum women. We assessed experiences of perceived structural racism, specifically employment and housing discrimination, and differences in pregnancy-related anxiety and stress scores, using validated instruments: Kessler Psychological Distress Scale and the Pregnancy Related Anxiety Scale. Results: A one-way between subjects ANOVA indicated that there was not a significant effect of structural racism on pregnancy related stress and anxiety at the p<.05 level for four conditions [F(20, 35) = .887, p = .603], experiencing housing, employment, housing and employment, and neither housing nor employment discrimination. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that there were no group differences in stress and anxiety scores among Black pregnant and postpartum women who have experienced housing and/or employment structural racism. Future research should consider socio-cultural and psychological effects of the normalization of this form of discrimination on women of color and the impact on their pregnancy related anxiety and stress.
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| Modified Abstract |
Black pregnant and postpartum women often experience structural racism in their daily lives. However, limited data have examined different types of structural racism experiences and related effects on pregnancy and postpartum. As part of a larger study, we assessed experiences of employment and housing discrimination and differences in pregnancy-related anxiety and stress scores in a sample of low income Black pregnant and postpartum (n=90). Our findings indicate that there were no group differences in stress and anxiety scores among Black pregnant and postpartum women who have experienced housing and/or employment discrimination. Future research should consider socio-cultural and psychological effects of the normalization of this form of discrimination on women of color and the impact on their pregnancy related anxiety and stress.
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