Discrimination and adverse birth outcomes among Latina women: The protective role of social support.

Abstract

Objective: Interpersonal discrimination has been associated with adverse birth outcomes among Black populations, but few studies have examined the impact of discrimination among Latinx/Hispanic populations in the United States, especially in conjunction with resources that could be protective. The present study examined (a) if exposure to discrimination is associated with adverse birth outcomes for Latina/Hispanic women and (b) if prenatal social support buffers these links. Method: In two independent prospective studies of Latina/Hispanic women in Southern California (N = 84 and N = 102), the relation between maternal experience of discrimination and birth outcomes (length of gestation and birth weight) was examined. Additionally, social support was tested as a moderator of these relations. Results: In both Studies 1 and 2, exposures to discrimination predicted adverse birth outcomes. Specifically, lifetime experiences of major discrimination predicted lower birth weight. Additionally, in Study 2, chronic experiences of everyday discrimination were linked to lower birth weight. In Study 1, major discrimination also predicted shorter gestational length. Importantly, in both studies, the presence of prenatal social support buffered associations between discrimination and poorer birth outcomes. Conclusions: Findings implicate discrimination as an important risk factor for adverse birth outcomes among women of Latina/Hispanic descent. Further policies, practice, and research on reducing discrimination and enhancing factors that promote resilience such as social support are needed to facilitate healthy births among Latina/Hispanic women, mitigate intergenerational harm of discrimination-related stress, and advance health equity at birth and across the lifespan. Public Significance StatementPerinatal health among Hispanic/Latinx populations in the United States is an important public health priority, as they are one of the nation's fastest growing racial/ethnic groups. However, predictors of adverse birth outcomes and associated protective factors in this population have been understudied. This investigation provides evidence from two independent samples that experiences of discrimination are linked to poorer birth outcomes (lower birth weight and shorter gestational length) among Hispanic/ Latina women, but that social support is a protective mechanism against these associations.

Experience of discrimination reported during pregnancy and infant's emerging effortful control

“…Consistent with the DOHaD model, discrimination experienced preconception and prenatally by pregnant individuals is associated with poorer birth outcomes (Alhusen et al., 2016; Earnshaw et al., 2013; Giurgescu et al., 2011; Larrabee Sonderlund et al., 2021; Liu & Glynn, 2021; Liu, D'Anna‐Hernandez, et al., 2023). Emerging literature further suggests links with discrimination reported during pregnancy and offspring developmental outcomes (e.g., negative emotionality; Liu et al., 2023).…”