A recent study, published in the December issue of The Nurse Practitioner, sheds light on the heightened prevalence of comorbid mental health distress, encompassing depression, anxiety, and stress, among pregnant Black individuals.
Led by Susan Gennaro, Ph.D., R.N., from the William F. Connell School of Nursing at Boston College in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, the research delved into the mental health conditions of 452 pregnant Black individuals. The findings underscore a significant concern, with 42.9 percent of participants exhibiting elevated scores on depression, anxiety, and/or stress measures.
Within this subset of 194 individuals, the mean scores revealed a substantial impact, with anxiety scoring at 9.16, depression at 12.80, and stress at 21.79. Notably, 36.1 percent of participants experienced two of the three symptoms, while one-third reported the presence of all three mental health distress indicators.
The study emphasizes the urgent need for a comprehensive and effective approach to address mental health concerns during pregnancy. The authors highlight the necessity for broad-based treatment strategies covering depression, anxiety, and stress, especially tailored to the unique needs of pregnant Black individuals.
The authors state, “Pregnant Black individuals experience high levels of comorbid mental health distress including depression, anxiety, and stress. The findings indicate that treatment for mental health concerns needs to be broad-based and effective for all three conditions. Prenatal interventions should aim to address mental health distress through screening and treatment of depression, anxiety, and stress, especially for pregnant Black individuals. This study furthers understanding of the prevalence of prenatal mental health conditions in pregnant Black people.” This study contributes to a better understanding of the challenges faced by pregnant Black individuals concerning mental health, emphasizing the importance of tailored interventions and support systems.
