Abstract
This longitudinal study examined depression symptoms among pregnant, low-income, urban Latinas, primarily Puerto Ricans and Dominicans, receiving obstetrical services in community health centers. In all, 106 women were interviewed in late pregnancy, 47 were interviewed again 2 to 3 weeks postpartum, and 42 three months postpartum. Elevated levels of depressive symptoms were evident in 53% of the original sample. Across time, depressive symptoms decreased significantly; however, a decreased score was strongly related to number of negative life events. Social support scores were minimally related to depressive symptomatology. Service recommendations based on these findings include conducting third-trimester assessments of life events experienced during the past year and screening for depression to better identify women at risk of late pregnancy to postpartum-persistent depressive symptoms. More research and clinical attention on dysphoric states in pregnant Latinas and understanding the consequences of impaired perinatal mental health on maternal well-being and infant outcomes are needed.
Original language | English (US) |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 370-385 |
Number of pages | 16 |
Journal | Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Aug 2003 |
Keywords
- Life events
- Perinatal depression
- Pregnancy
- Primary care
- Social support
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Psychology
- Cultural Studies
- Anthropology
- Linguistics and Language