Barriers to Perinatal Mental Health Care for Black Mothers: Identifying Risk Factors and Moderators to Improve Equity in Care
Abstract
The perinatal period is an important time for mothers and infants to develop strong and healthy attachment relationships. The need for effective mental health treatment during this time is crucial as mental and other health conditions affecting mothers can negatively impact maternal and infant mental health. Discrepancies exist in the development, identification, and access to care for perinatal mental health conditions in Black mothers compared to their White counterparts. To help close health equity gaps for Black mothers, it is essential to understand the socio-economic factors that impact access to care and identify potential risk and protective factors that may mitigate or exacerbate the relationship between socio-demographic risk and barriers to care. Additionally, given that Black mothers exist in the context of their relationships, community, and culture, it is essential to consider multiple ecological and relational factors to inform practice, policy, and interventions. As such, the present study examines two unique contexts of relationships: social support (individual level) and healthcare provider behavior (provider level). This study aims to 1) understand the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics that may decrease access to quality mental health care for Black mothers 2) examine whether social support and provider validation moderates the relationship between socio-demographic risk factors and access to perinatal mental health care for Black mothers. This cross-sectional national survey study included n = 45 Black mothers within 1 year postpartum. Participants completed psychometrically validated surveys on socio-demographic factors, barriers to perinatal health care, and social support and provider validation/invalidation. Linear regression analyses will be used to quantitatively test study hypotheses. This empirical study aims to add to the literature on perinatal mental health for Black mothers, highlight the barriers Black mothers experience in their pursuit of mental health care, and provide direction to address systemic challenges in health care settings for Black mothers.
Start Time
15-4-2026 1:30 PM
End Time
15-4-2026 2:30 PM
Room Number
303
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Presentation Subtype
Grad/Comp Orals
Presentation Category
Social Sciences
Student Type
Graduate
Faculty Mentor
Diana Morelen
Barriers to Perinatal Mental Health Care for Black Mothers: Identifying Risk Factors and Moderators to Improve Equity in Care
303
The perinatal period is an important time for mothers and infants to develop strong and healthy attachment relationships. The need for effective mental health treatment during this time is crucial as mental and other health conditions affecting mothers can negatively impact maternal and infant mental health. Discrepancies exist in the development, identification, and access to care for perinatal mental health conditions in Black mothers compared to their White counterparts. To help close health equity gaps for Black mothers, it is essential to understand the socio-economic factors that impact access to care and identify potential risk and protective factors that may mitigate or exacerbate the relationship between socio-demographic risk and barriers to care. Additionally, given that Black mothers exist in the context of their relationships, community, and culture, it is essential to consider multiple ecological and relational factors to inform practice, policy, and interventions. As such, the present study examines two unique contexts of relationships: social support (individual level) and healthcare provider behavior (provider level). This study aims to 1) understand the relationship between socio-demographic characteristics that may decrease access to quality mental health care for Black mothers 2) examine whether social support and provider validation moderates the relationship between socio-demographic risk factors and access to perinatal mental health care for Black mothers. This cross-sectional national survey study included n = 45 Black mothers within 1 year postpartum. Participants completed psychometrically validated surveys on socio-demographic factors, barriers to perinatal health care, and social support and provider validation/invalidation. Linear regression analyses will be used to quantitatively test study hypotheses. This empirical study aims to add to the literature on perinatal mental health for Black mothers, highlight the barriers Black mothers experience in their pursuit of mental health care, and provide direction to address systemic challenges in health care settings for Black mothers.
