A recent study conducted by Susan Gennaro, PhD, RN, FAAN, Professor in the William F. Connell School of Nursing at Boston College, and her colleagues, sheds light on the prevalence of multiple mental health concerns among Black pregnant individuals. The findings, published in The Nurse Practitioner, underscore the need for enhanced prenatal screening and intervention strategies to address depression, anxiety, and stress concurrently.
The research, conducted at three urban clinics in the U.S., aimed to assess the eligibility of pregnant Black patients for a cognitive-behavioral therapy trial tailored to racial/ethnic minority populations. The study involved 452 patients aged 18 to 40, who completed assessments using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale, the General Anxiety Disorders–7 Scale, and the Perceived Stress Scale before reaching 19 weeks of gestation.
Key findings from the study include:
Prevalence of Mental Health Concerns: 43% of participants screened positive for depression, anxiety, and/or stress.
Co-occurrence of Mental Health Issues: Depression, anxiety, and stress commonly co-occurred, with 81% reporting depression alone or with anxiety or stress, 46% reporting anxiety alone or with depression or stress, and 76% reporting stress alone or with depression or anxiety.
Under-Recognition and Screening Disparities: Despite national prenatal care guidelines advocating for depression and anxiety screening, disparities persist. The study highlights the need for universal and comprehensive mental health screening during prenatal care.
Importance of Stress Screening: The authors emphasize the necessity of incorporating stress screening into routine prenatal care, particularly given the observed overlap of mental health symptoms with normal physiological adaptations to pregnancy.
Risk Factors and Considerations: The study suggests that individuals attending school and those who are younger may be at additional risk, warranting further consideration and tailored support.
The study advocates for a shift in prenatal mental health screening practices, emphasizing that screening for depression, anxiety, and stress can be efficiently integrated into prenatal visits. The authors stress the importance of utilizing validated tools to provide focused attention to the full spectrum of mental health symptomatology. Additionally, they underscore the critical need for immediate assessment and referral for individuals expressing self-harm concerns.
As discussions surrounding mental health gain prominence, this research reinforces the imperative to address the mental well-being of pregnant Black individuals comprehensively, with a focus on early detection and intervention.
