Exploring perinatal depression among women with disabilities: differences by race/ethnicity and disability characteristics

Perinatal depression is a significant public health problem, with profound implications for maternal and child health outcomes. While previous research has examined disparities in perinatal depression based on race/ethnicity and disability status independently, there is a lack of research exploring the intersectionality of these social identities and their combined association with perinatal depression. Further, limited research has examined how experiences of perinatal depression vary by different disability characteristics. Using 2019-2020 data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), this study investigates the prevalence and predictors of perinatal depression among women with and without disabilities. It adopts an intersectional lens, using Disability Critical Race Theory (DisCrit) to explore variations in the odds and associated factors of perinatal depression by race/ethnicity among women with disabilities. Additionally, it examines variations in perinatal depression by number of disabilities. Findings from the study indicate that (1) Women with disabilities had a higher prevalence of both antenatal and postpartum depression compared to women without disabilities; (2) Risk factors associated with perinatal depression differed between women with and without disabilities; (3) While no significant associations were found between race/ethnicity and antenatal depressive symptoms among women with disabilities, Non-Hispanic Black women with disabilities had significantly higher odds of postpartum depression compared to Non-Hispanic White women; (4) Women with multiple disabilities faced the highest risk of experiencing depression during pregnancy and after childbirth compared to those with one or no disabilities. These findings have important implications for social work practice, policy, and research. Results from this study bring new knowledge around intersectionality and enhance our understanding of the experiences of perinatal women who fall at the intersection of multiple marginalized identities. Findings from this study also provide critical insights that can be used to develop inclusive research, interventions, and policies aimed at addressing the unique needs of disabled women.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Social Work

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2023

Author dc:creator

• Bentley, Brandie

Contributors dc:contributor

• Tabb Dina, Karen
• Wu, Chi-Fang
• Hoang, Tuyet-Mai Ha
• Nidey, Nichole
• Horner Johnson, Willi

• Perinatal Depression
• Disability
• Race
• Intersectionality

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2023 Brandie Bentley

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121269

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F121269