Molly Fox1. 1. Departments of Anthropology and Psychiatry & Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA. Electronic address: mollyfox@ucla.edu.
Abstract
RATIONALE: The 2016 U.S. presidential election and its aftermath involved political rhetoric and policies that especially targeted women, Latinos, and immigrants. It is possible that concerns about the political environment could affect mental health of individuals in targeted groups. OBJECTIVE: In a cohort of 148 pregnant Latina women, this study investigated how demographics and political concerns related to each other and to maternal anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, which have been associated with adverse birth and child development outcomes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, self-report study, participants in Southern California completed a one-time questionnaire from January 2017 to May 2018. RESULTS: The highest rates of endorsement were for concerns regarding President Trump's racism, attitude towards women, and deportation risk for family or friends. From several demographic variables, the only significant predictor of state anxiety was expectant parents' birthplaces. From several political concerns variables, the only significant predictor of state anxiety was President Trump's attitude towards women or women's rights. There were no significant effects on other mental health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that birthplace and women's issues may be particularly salient anxiety risk factors for Latina pregnant women in this context. Because of the cross-sectional study design, it is possible that, conversely, pregnant women with high anxiety levels are particularly sensitive to the issue of birthplace or women's rights. Results imply that the political climate and events in the U.S. could have deleterious consequences that may cascade across generations of Latino Americans via effects on pregnant women.
RATIONALE: The 2016 U.S. presidential election and its aftermath involved political rhetoric and policies that especially targeted women, Latinos, and immigrants. It is possible that concerns about the political environment could affect mental health of individuals in targeted groups. OBJECTIVE: In a cohort of 148 pregnant Latina women, this study investigated how demographics and political concerns related to each other and to maternal anxiety, depression, and perceived stress, which have been associated with adverse birth and child development outcomes. METHODS: In this cross-sectional, self-report study, participants in Southern California completed a one-time questionnaire from January 2017 to May 2018. RESULTS: The highest rates of endorsement were for concerns regarding President Trump's racism, attitude towards women, and deportation risk for family or friends. From several demographic variables, the only significant predictor of state anxiety was expectant parents' birthplaces. From several political concerns variables, the only significant predictor of state anxiety was President Trump's attitude towards women or women's rights. There were no significant effects on other mental health outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that birthplace and women's issues may be particularly salient anxiety risk factors for Latina pregnant women in this context. Because of the cross-sectional study design, it is possible that, conversely, pregnant women with high anxiety levels are particularly sensitive to the issue of birthplace or women's rights. Results imply that the political climate and events in the U.S. could have deleterious consequences that may cascade across generations of Latino Americans via effects on pregnant women.
Authors: Fatiha Karam; Anick Bérard; Odile Sheehy; Marie-Claude Huneau; Gerald Briggs; Christina Chambers; Adrienne Einarson; Diana Johnson; Kelly Kao; Gideon Koren; Brigitte Martin; Janine E Polifka; Sara H Riordan; Mark Roth; Sharon Voyer Lavigne; Lori Wolfe Journal: Res Nurs Health Date: 2012-04-17 Impact factor: 2.228
Authors: Iná S Santos; Alicia Matijasevich; Beatriz Franck Tavares; Aluísio J D Barros; Iara Picinini Botelho; Catherine Lapolli; Pedro Vieira da Silva Magalhães; Ana Paula Pereira Neto Barbosa; Fernando C Barros Journal: Cad Saude Publica Date: 2007-11 Impact factor: 1.632