Authors: Kimberly L D’AnnaHernandez Esmeralda Garcia Mary CoussonsRead Mark L Laudenslager Randal G Ross
Publish Date: 2016/01/04
Volume: 20, Issue: 2, Pages: 422-433
Abstract
Objective Greater acculturation is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in MexicanAmerican women but the mechanisms by which acculturation influences perinatal outcomes are unclear Pregnant acculturated MexicanAmerican women are more likely to engage in unhealthy prenatal behaviors relative to those less acculturated including poor sleep As sleep disruptions are associated with acculturation and negative perinatal outcomes particularly maternal depression alterations in sleep may adversely affect pregnant MexicanAmerican women Methods Sixty pregnant women of Mexican descent completed surveys about sleep acculturation depressive symptoms and potential protective factor of social support Results Acculturation but not social support significantly predicted increased sleep disruptions as well as overall feeling less refreshed upon waking across pregnancy Moderation analysis indicated that more acculturated women who took longer to fall asleep reported increased depressive symptoms Feeling refreshed upon waking also mediated the relationship between increased acculturation and elevated maternal depressive symptoms Conclusions Acculturation and altered sleep contribute to greater risk in MexicanAmerican women for maternal depressive symptoms in the perinatal period These findings have implications for prevention and treatment of maternal mental health disorders which may adversely affect perinatal outcomes in the vulnerable MexicanAmerican populationThis work was funded by research grants from the University of Colorado Dean’s Academic Enrichment Fund MCH Developmental Psychobiology Endowment Fund University of Colorado Denver Department of Psychiatry and NIH CA126971 MLL and MH086383 RGR
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