Abstract
BackgroundCalgary, Alberta has the fourth highest immigrant population in Canada and ethnic minorities comprise 28 % of its total population. Previous studies have found correlations between minority status and poor pregnancy outcomes. One explanation for this phenomenon is that minority status increases the levels of stress experienced during pregnancy. The aim of the present study was to identify specific types of maternal psychosocial stress experienced by women of an ethnic minority (Asian, Arab, Other Asian, African, First Nations and Latin American).MethodsA secondary analysis of variables that may contribute to maternal psychosocial stress was conducted using data from the All Our Babies prospective pregnancy cohort (N = 3,552) where questionnaires were completed at < 24 weeks of gestation and between 34 and 36 weeks of gestation. Questionnaires included standardized measures of perceived stress, anxiety, depression, physical and emotional health, and social support. Socio-demographic data included immigration status, language proficiency in English, ethnicity, age, and socio-economic status.ResultsFindings from this study indicate that women who identify with an ethnic minority were more likely to report symptoms of depression, anxiety, inadequate social support, and problems with emotional and physical health during pregnancy than women who identified with the White reference group.ConclusionsThis study has identified that women of an ethic minority experience greater psychosocial stress in pregnancy compared to the White reference group.
Highlights
Calgary, Alberta has the fourth highest immigrant population in Canada and ethnic minorities comprise 28 % of its total population
A sub-analysis of birthplace and ethnic identity revealed that 91 % of women who identified with an ethnic minority had either immigrated to Canada or were first generation Canadians; 1 % were of Aboriginal heritage and the remaining 8 % were > than first generation Canadians
Women who identified with an ethnic minority experienced greater psychosocial stress during pregnancy than women from the White reference group
Summary
Alberta has the fourth highest immigrant population in Canada and ethnic minorities comprise 28 % of its total population. The aim of the present study was to identify specific types of maternal psychosocial stress experienced by women of an ethnic minority (Asian, Arab, Other Asian, African, First Nations and Latin American) It is well established in health research that ethnic minorities have poorer physical and mental health trajectories than those from the dominant culture [1,2,3,4,5]. The longer a woman who has immigrated lives in Canada prior to pregnancy, the greater her risk for poor pregnancy outcomes [11] One explanation for this phenomena is that women of an ethnic minority may experience elevated levels of psychosocial stress during pregnancy [12,13,14,15,16]. Psychosocial stressors associated with being from an ethnic minority endure throughout the course of pregnancy and motherhood [19] and likely contribute to the deteriorating physical and mental health outcomes of ethnic minorities [7, 19]
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