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Mental Health During Pregnancy: A Study Comparing Asian, Caucasian and Native Hawaiian Women

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Abstract

Objective: This study examines perinatal mental health issues, ethnic differences, and comorbidity among pregnant women in Hawaii. Methods: Eighty-four participants were recruited from women, ages 18–35, seeking prenatal care on Oahu. They were interviewed at their initial prenatal visit about substance use, depression, and anxiety. Results: Sixty-one percent of women screened positive for at least one mental health issue. Thirteen percent of all pregnant women reported drinking during pregnancy with 5% reporting problem drinking, 15% reported smoking cigarettes on a regular basis, 5% of pregnant women had probable depression, and 13% of pregnant women had probable anxiety. Significant ethnic differences were found in cigarette smoking, with the highest rate among Native Hawaiian women (35%). Native Hawaiian women were also more likely to binge drink. Conclusion: Given the high rates of potential mental health issues in our sample, our findings highlight the importance of screening and treatment for mental health issues early in pregnancy in Hawaii.

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Acknowledgements

This study was supported, in part, by a Research Centers in Minority Institutions Award, P20 RR11091, from the National Center for Research Resources (NCRR), National Institutes of Health. Dissemination is supported by a National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) and National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NCMHD) Award (5 U01 AA014289-03). The contents of this paper are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the NIAAA, NCMHD and NCRR. The investigators thank the women and staff from the clinics that participated in the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1356 Lusitana Street, 4th Floor, Honolulu, 96813, Hawaii, USA

    Deborah Goebert Dr.P.H, Leslie Morland Psy.D, LeighAnn Frattarelli M.D, Jane Onoye Ph.D & Courteney Matsu M.D

  2. National Center for PTSD–Pacific Island Division, VA Pacific Island Healthcare System, 1132 Bishop Street, Suite 307, Honolulu, 96813, HI, USA

    Leslie Morland Psy.D

  3. Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Women’s Health, John A. Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii, 1319 Punahou Street, Suite 824, Honolulu, 96826, HI, USA

    LeighAnn Frattarelli M.D

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  1. Deborah Goebert Dr.P.H
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Correspondence to Deborah Goebert Dr.P.H.

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Goebert, D., Morland, L., Frattarelli, L. et al. Mental Health During Pregnancy: A Study Comparing Asian, Caucasian and Native Hawaiian Women. Matern Child Health J 11, 249–255 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-006-0165-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10995-006-0165-0

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