The Role of Social Support and Acculturation Factors on Postpartum Mental Health Among Latinas in the MADRES Pregnancy Cohort

We examined the associations between social support and postpartum mental health in 137 U.S. and foreign-born Latinas in the MADRES pregnancy cohort. We also examined whether language, years in the U.S., and country of birth moderates these relationships. Participants were administered PROMIS support measures 1 month postpartum; the Perceived Stress and Postpartum Distress Measure 3, 6, and 12 months postpartum; and the CESD scale 12 months postpartum. Perceived stress was lower at 6 months postpartum for women reporting higher emotional (p = 0.01), informational (p = 0.03), and instrumental support (p < 0.001); and lower at 12 months postpartum for women reporting higher emotional support (p = 0.01). Distress at 6 months was lower in women reporting higher emotional support (p = 0.03). Interactions suggest that associations were stronger for mothers that speak Spanish, spent fewer years in the U.S., and were born in Central America.

Automated summary

This study examines the associations between social support and postpartum mental health in Latinas, both U.S. and foreign-born. It also explores the moderating effects of language, years in the U.S., and country of birth on these relationships. The findings suggest that higher emotional, informational, and instrumental support are related to lower perceived stress, and higher emotional support is related to lower distress. Additionally, these associations are more pronounced among Spanish-speaking mothers, those with fewer years in the U.S., and those born in Central America.