Church Member Support Benefits Psychological Well-Being of Pregnant African American Women

Abstract

Depression during pregnancy is common, and pregnant African American (AA) women are more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared with pregnant non-Hispanic white women. This study explored AA women’s experience of church attendance, church member support, depressive symptoms, and psychological well-being at 15–25 weeks’ gestation. Nurses need to be aware of the importance of church support and encourage clergy and church members to be supportive of pregnant women.

Pregnancy, Childbirth, and Religion in Bioethical Education: One Proposition

“…(2) pregnancy and childbirth in nonscientific perspectives (in the media, politics, NGOs, written works/literature, film and television series) 22 ; (3) pregnancy and childbirth in theological perspectives (Christianity, Judaism, and Islam) 23 ; (4) rituals and rites related to pregnancy and childbirth in various cultural patterns; (5) childbirth pain in different religious cultures and traditions; (6) attitudes and interpretations of religious teaching on risky lifestyles in pregnancy (alcohol, cigarette, and drug consumption, obesity); (7) an attitude of the health system and the healthcare professionals toward (a) pregnant migrants and (b) migrant mothers and newborns (European Union member states, non-European Union member states, Africa, Asia, America, Canada students choose the healthcare system themselves); (8) the invention of a vacuum extractor by the physician from Rijeka, Viktor Finderle; (9) the spouse infertility-a condition or disease in religious beliefs; (10) motherhood in religious traditions; and (11) adoption of children in different religious cultures. Students are suggested to visit and talk with religious community leaders, civil society organizations, maternity hospitals, healthcare professionals, and religious pregnant women willing to discuss the influence of religious belief on their understanding and acceptance of facts about prenatal tests, pregnancy, and childbirth.…”

“…The presented content is followed by the content of the article that thematizes the benefits of church support to pregnant women. 10 The authors of the article point out the assistance provided by the church community in understanding depression and treating the effects of depression as a common occurrence in pregnant women. Pointing out that the symptoms of depression may affect the outcome of childbirth and the newborn's reduced body weight, they highlighted the need to explore factors that would improve pregnant women's mental health.…”

A new perspective on the maternal mortality disparity

“…Well‐intended research agendas often focus on problem solving as a means to eliminate health disparities. For example, in the case of the disproportionate maternal mortality rate among Black women, much research focuses on experiences in prenatal care, 14–22 discrimination in healthcare, 23–27 and support in pregnancy 14–32 . In these studies, Black women are indeed at the center as care recipients and as informants, 14–32 but only one study asked Black women their perceived research priorities 19 .…”

“…For example, in the case of the disproportionate maternal mortality rate among Black women, much research focuses on experiences in prenatal care, 14–22 discrimination in healthcare, 23–27 and support in pregnancy 14–32 . In these studies, Black women are indeed at the center as care recipients and as informants, 14–32 but only one study asked Black women their perceived research priorities 19 . Investigating experiences of Black women in pregnancy is an important endeavor; however, approaching the issue from the problem‐solving lens tends to focus on the deficits.…”