Relationships among Racial Discrimination, Depressive Symptoms, and Systemic Inflammation among Pregnant African American Women
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Purpose and Background/Significance: African American women are more likely to experience racial discrimination and depressive symptoms compared with non-Hispanic white women. Racial discrimination and depressive symptoms have been related to greater systemic inflammation [e.g. higher levels of C-Reactive Protein (CRP)] among African Americans; however, data are limited on these associations among pregnant African American women. Chronic stress may increase allostatic load, leading to alterations in immune functions. We examined the associations among racial discrimination, depressive symptoms, and systemic inflammation among pregnant African American women. Theoretical/Conceptual Framework: This study was guided by the Ecological Model which posits that environmental and personal factors influence health outcomes. Methods: This secondary analysis used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 203 African American women. Surveys [demographics, Experiences of Discrimination Scale (EOD, range 0-9), and Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, (CES-D, range 0-60)] and venous blood were collected between 8-29 weeks gestation. CRP levels were measured in plasma. We conducted descriptive statistics to describe the sample, and Pearson r correlations coefficient analysis to examine the associations among the variables. Results : Participants had a mean age of 26.6±5.6 years and a mean gestational age of 15.6±5.7 weeks. The majority of women were single (88%), employed (49%), and had an annual household income <$10,000 (39%). The EOD score mean was 0.58±0.49 and the CES-D score mean was 16.1±10.5. The most frequent reported experiences of racial discrimination were in a store or restaurant (39%), on the street or in a public setting (34%), at work (28%), and from police or in courts (27%). Women who reported more experiences of racial discrimination also reported higher levels of depressive symptoms (r=.14, p<.05). CRP levels were related to CES-D scores (r=.193, p<.05). CRP levels were not related to racial discrimination. Conclusions: Among pregnant African American women, racial discrimination was associated with depressive symptoms though not with systemic inflammation. A more specific marker of inflammation may provide additional insights into the effect of racial discrimination on depressive symptoms.