The associations of objective and perceived neighborhood disadvantage with stress among pregnant black women.

Background: Neighborhood disadvantage may impact risk of preterm birth through stress. Few studies have examined how neighborhood disadvantage relates to stress during pregnancy, especially for Black women.

Methods: Secondary data analysis of 572 women in a prospective cohort in Detroit, MI and Columbus, OH.

Assessing Perception of Prenatal Care Quality Among Black Women in the United States.

Introduction: There has been little attention to measuring quality of prenatal care from a Black person's perspective. We examined validity and reliability of the Quality of Prenatal Care Questionnaire (QPCQ) and perceptions of the quality of prenatal care among pregnant Black women.

Methods: A total of 190 women had complete data on the postpartum questionnaire containing the QPCQ within 8 weeks after birth.

Loneliness and Depressive Symptoms among Pregnant Black Women during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We explored the associations among perceived stress, depressive symptoms, loneliness, and social support during the COVID-19 pandemic; and differences in perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and social support prior to the pandemic and during the pandemic among pregnant Black women. A sample of 33 pregnant Black women who participated in the Biosocial Impact on Black Births (BIBB) and were still pregnant in May-June 2020 were invited to complete an online survey about their experiences during the pandemic. Fifteen women responded or to experiencing stress and anxiety because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Views on Exercise Among Black Women During Pregnancy.

Objective: To describe and understand exercise practices, beliefs about exercise, support for exercise, barriers to exercise, and preferences for a group exercise program in the context of individual and environmental factors among Black women during pregnancy.

Design: Mixed-methods design.

Setting: Large university-affiliated urban midwifery practice.

Successful Recruitment Strategies for Engaging Pregnant African American Women in Research.

Participation by people of color in research studies is important for generalizability and to mitigate health disparities. Barriers to recruitment are well documented, but less well known is how to succeed. This paper describes successful strategies for recruitment and retention of pregnant Black women for a multisite study of preterm birth.

Family involvement in pregnancy and psychological health among pregnant Black women.

Social determinants of health influence psychological health in pregnancy and contribute to health inequities in birth outcomes. This study examines the association between family involvement during pregnancy and psychological health among Black women. Pregnant women in Detroit, MI and Columbus, OH were recruited between 8 and 29 weeks' gestation (n = 203).

Intimate partner violence, prenatal stress, and substance use among pregnant Black women.

Objectives: We examine the mediation effects of prenatal stress on the associations between intimate partner violence (IPV) experience and the most common forms of substance use (i.e., cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and marijuana use) among pregnant Black women.

Timing of Prenatal Care Initiation and Psychological Wellbeing in Black Women.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to see if timing of prenatal care initiation was related to psychological wellbeing of Black women.

Study Design And Methods: Using a cross-sectional design, a sample of 197 pregnant Black women completed a self-reported survey between 8 weeks and less than 30 weeks gestation as part of the Biosocial Impact on Black Births study. The questions asked about the initiation of prenatal care, perceived stress, depressive symptoms, and psychological wellbeing.

Prenatal cigarette smoking as a mediator between racism and depressive symptoms: The Biosocial Impact on Black Births Study.

Objective: This study examined whether cigarette smoking mediated the association of racial discrimination with depressive symptoms among pregnant Black women.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Sample: Two hundred Black women at 8-29 weeks gestation.