Disparities in Perinatal Mental Health Among African American Women During the Postpartum Period
Date of Conferral
11-2-2023
Degree
Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
School
Public Health
Advisor
Stacy-Ann Christian
Abstract
Maternal mental health and breastfeeding are public health issues that impact mothers, birthing persons, infants, and families. Persistent racial and ethnic disparities and widening health inequity gaps continue among pregnant and postpartum women in the United States. This study ascertained the structural, contextual, and maternal risk factors mediating the association between perinatal mental illness and breastfeeding behaviors among African American women self-reporting depressive symptoms using a quantitative, cross-sectional approach with the 2020 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) data. The results indicate a significant relationship between women reporting perinatal depression and breastfeeding intention (X2 = 10.750, p = .001) compared to those not reporting perinatal depression and breastfeeding intention. However, the associations between perinatal depression and breastfeeding initiation (X2 = .01, p = .925) and duration (rpb(2,516, p = .557) were not significant. The predictors of reporting breastfeeding intention and initiation among African American mothers affected by perinatal depression received breastfeeding information from a doctor, got materials from hospital staff on how to protect their baby from COVID-19 infection while breastfeeding, maternal education at the high school level and above, and a history of depression. These findings provide evidence of breastfeeding and maternal mental health determinants affecting African American women’s breastfeeding practices. This knowledge can assist healthcare providers in implementing positive social change through progressive maternity care modalities that reduce adverse health outcomes among marginalized pregnant and postpartum individuals.
Recommended Citation
Schools-Cropper, Avareena Eugenia, "Disparities in Perinatal Mental Health Among African American Women During the Postpartum Period" (2023). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 15066.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/15066
