Social Determinants of Health Among Pregnant Hispanic Women and Associated Psychological Outcomes

There has been a concerning surge in maternal mortality among Hispanic women in recent years. Compromised mental health is present in nearly half of all maternal deaths, and risk factors include poor social support and depression.

Among Hispanic women who were born in the USA versus those not born in the USA, we sought to describe and compare social determinants of health and maternal psychological outcomes.

Hispanic pregnant women (n = 579) were recruited from two clinics in Tampa, FL, and completed various questionnaires related to social determinants of health, depression, stress, and social support.

Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and chi-square analyses were used to compare relationships between maternal nativity and subsequent psychosocial outcomes. Pearson correlations were used to explore associations between variables.

Hispanic pregnant women who were not born in the USA had lower incomes (χ² = 5.68, p = 0.018, df = 1), were more likely to be unemployed (χ² = 8.12, p = 0.004, df = 1), and were more likely to be married (χ² = 4.79, p = 0.029, df = 1) when compared with those born in the USA. Those not born in the USA reported lower social support (t = 3.92, p<0.001), specifically the tangible (t = 4.18, p < 0.001) and emotional support subscales (t = 4.4, p<0.001). When compared with those born in the USA, foreign-born Hispanic women reported less stress (t = 3.23, p = 0.001) and depression (t = 3.3, p = 0.002).

Pregnant Hispanic women not born in the USA are at increased risk for suboptimal social determinants of health, including less social support. US-born women were more stressed and depressed and had higher BMIs.