Perceived Discrimination Impact on Maternal Well-Being

Background: Studies demonstrate that allostatic load, or the wear and tear of the body from chronic stress exposure, increases the likelihood of developing a mental illness. Exposure to discrimination can increase allostatic load and impair emotional regulation. For marginalized pregnant women, this may make them more vulnerable to perinatal mental illnesses (PMIs). As such, it is important to understand how perceived discrimination impacts maternal mental well-being. This study examines the relationship between perceived discrimination and maternal mental well-being, as well as the structural factors shaping exposure to discrimination. The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between discrimination and maternal mental well-being among pregnant women.

Methods: This study used the dataset “Listening to Mothers” (2016) of a state survey conducted by the Childbirth Connection program of the National Partnership for Women and Families that collected data from women in California who have experiences with pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum care. Using a population-based sample and complex survey weighting, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Weighted descriptive statistics used to summarize the distribution of maternal mental health outcomes, experience of discrimination, and sociodemographic variables, such as income, education, and employment. Two multivariable logistic regression models were used. The first model assessed whether experiences of discrimination were associated with maternal well-being, such as depression and anxiety, adjusting for relevant covariates. The second model examined which structural and sociodemographic factors, such as income, education, employment, physical mistreatment, and country of birth, were associated with reporting discrimination. The two models evaluated both the impact of discrimination on mental health and structural factors that shape exposure to discrimination.

Results: The results indicate that experiences of discrimination are significantly associated with poorer maternal mental health, with women reporting discrimination demonstrating higher odds of reporting depression or anxiety symptoms. Structural factors, including lower income, physical mistreatment, and country of birth, were significantly associated with increased likelihood of reporting discrimination. These findings underscore the role of systemic inequities in shaping both risk exposure and health outcomes. Ongoing analyses will examine intersectional effects to inform social work practice, policy, and interventions aimed at advancing maternal health equity.

Conclusions and Implications: This study has found significant association between discrimination with the poorer maternal mental health wellbeing of women who have specific mental health issues of anxiety and depression. There is a specific focus on identifying structural factors and systemic inequities that could act as barriers to maternal mental well-being. Policy practices have to ensure that maternal care policies in all settings are strictly followed, which protects pregnant women against any forms of discrimination. This study can be used as evidence to develop maternal mental health well-being practices with the support of educational and employment organizations.