1. Social Determinants of Health and Psychophysiological Stress in Pregnant Women: Correlates with Maternal Mental Health
- Author
-
Herbell, Kayla
- Subjects
- Nursing, stress, heart rate variability, HRV, pregnancy, pregnant women, mental health
- Abstract
One of the most significant health crises of the millennia is confronting the epidemic of unmanaged stress in pregnant women. Consequences of unmanaged stress include preterm birth, impaired bonding between mother and child, and even developmental delays. To date, the literature has been focused on the outcomes of prenatal stress for the fetus/child and there is a substantial gap in the literature as to maternal implications of unmanaged prenatal stress. It is known that stress is influenced by demographic factors, however, relationships between psychological stress and social determinants of health remain unknown in pregnant women.Several biomarkers have been tested in pregnant women in an effort to detect a high level of stress, yet results are varied. However, one promising biomarker remains: heart rate variability (HRV). HRV has been studied on a limited basis in pregnant women but continues to be a reliable stress biomarker in other populations. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to unravel the complex interplay among SDOH, psychophysiological stress (perceived stress, pregnancy-specific stress, HRV) and mental health (resourcefulness and depressive symptoms) in pregnant women. A cross-sectional study of 82 participants were recruited from prenatal classes, clinics, and social media in Cleveland, OH. A battery of self-report instruments were administered along with a 5-minute measure of heart rate variability using the Biopac MP 150. Some but not all SDOH were correlated with major study variables including: 1) income and perceived stress (r= -.449, p
- Published
- 2018