How Do Daily Life Social-Cultural Aspects Influence the Way Latina(X) Mothers Experience the Postpartum Period?

Postpartum depression rates among women of Mexican descent may reach up to 50%, with prevalence estimates ranging from 23% to 51% among U.S. and foreign-born Latinas, far exceeding rates in the general population (Sanchez et al., 2019; Sampson et al., 2021). This study examined how acculturative stress, familismo, ethnic identity, and selected demographic factors, including marital status, are associated with maternal depression among Latina(x) mothers between zero and three years postpartum. Guided by Chicana feminist theory, a descriptive quantitative design was used. Participants were recruited from community-based organizations. Measures included a demographic questionnaire, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the Mexican American Cultural Values Scale, the Ethnic Identity Scale-Brief, and the Riverside Acculturative Scale Inventory. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, multiple regression, and independent t-tests. Findings were interpreted using a Chicana Feminist lens. Results showed uniformly depressive symptoms alongside low to moderate acculturative stress and high endorsement of familismo and ethnic identity. Findings suggest cultural strengths can coexist with significant postpartum depression, revealing a need for structurally informed approaches to maternal mental health.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Childhood Development and Early Education

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2026

Author dc:creator

• Cisneros, Alicia

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Moore, Lin

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Buckley, Rhonda
• Verdín, Azucena

• Latina(x) maternal mental health
• Familismo
• Acculturative stress
• Ethnic identity

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/17839

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/17839