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Eileen J. Santa, MA, Psychology, University of Massachusetts, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02164, 978-430-2511, Eileen.Santa001@students.umb.edu, Ester R. Shapiro, PhD, Psychology and Mauricio Gaston Institute for Latino Research, University of Massachusetts at Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd, McCormick Bldg., M-4-210, Boston, MA 02125-3393, Alice Carter, PhD, Psychology, University of Massachusetts Boston, 100 Morrissey Blvd., Boston, MA 02164, and Marilyn Augustyn, MD, School of Medicine, Pediatrics, Boston University , Boston Medical Center, 91 East Concord St., Maternity 5, Boston, MA 02118.
Objective: Explored associations between postpartum depressive symptoms in Latinas and demographics, social support, acculturation, neonatal risk, and Latino cultural beliefs regarding post-partum maternal and childcare.
Methodology: Eighty-one low income and low acculturation Latinas were interviewed at 1-2 days postpartum at a Boston hospital. Interviews addressed Latino post-partum maternal and child care beliefs, depressive symptoms, social support, acculturation, neonatal risk based on pre- and peri-natal medical outcomes, and demographics.
Description of sample: All dyads had healthy infants according to Hobel scores. Most (59.3%) endorsed cultural beliefs and 27.2% endorsed a high level of depressive symptoms on the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Mean maternal age was 26.65 years; 85% completed high school or less; 82% born outside of the U.S.; averaged nine years of U.S. residence (M=9.15) and averaged 2 children (M=1.94).
Results: A linear regression model predicting depressive symptoms indicated that (R2=.240, F(3,77)=8.12, p<.0001) social support (ß=-1.12, p<.0001), acculturation (ß= .223, p<.05), and the interaction between social support and cultural beliefs (ß=.829, p<.01) each contributed unique variance. A significant bivariate correlation between acculturation and cultural beliefs, suggests that an aspect of acculturation other than language may impact depressive symptoms (r=-.281, p<.05).
Conclusion: Findings contribute to evidence that Latina postpartum adaptation in the context of poverty, immigration, and acculturation may place some women at risk for postpartum depression, although social support tempers some negative effects. The findings also raised questions concerning the role of cultural beliefs in Latina mental health and contextual variables that might minimize the beneficial effects of social support.
Learning Objectives:
Keywords: Depression, Latino Mental Health
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.