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Examining the effectiveness of a coordinated perinatal mental health care model using an intersectional-feminist perspective

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Abstract

Untreated perinatal depression and anxiety are significant public health problems that disproportionately affect ethno-racial minorities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a coordinated perinatal mental health care model, focusing on socially-disadvantaged, ethno-racial minority women, with an intersectional-feminist perspective. The treatment model was grounded in intersectionality theory with the aim of addressing complex social vulnerability factors in the context of perinatal mental health treatment. Participants were 67 perinatal women (64% African American or Hispanic/Latina) referred by medical providers at an urban teaching hospital. Results demonstrated high treatment engagement and effectiveness, with 65.9% of participants demonstrating reliable improvement in symptoms. Moreover, African American and Hispanic/Latina patients had similar treatment outcomes compared to White patients, despite facing greater socio-economic disadvantages. Findings indicate that the treatment model may be a promising approach to reducing perinatal mental health disparities. Strengths and limitations of the study are discussed within the intersectionality framework.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Gilla Shapiro, MA, for her editorial feedback and Amy Rust, NP, for her involvement in our coordinated perinatal mental health care and provision of care to our patients.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Rush University Medical Center, 1645 West Jackson Blvd. Ste. 400, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

    Natalie R. Stevens, Nicole M. Heath, Teresa A. Lillis, Kenleigh McMinn, Vanessa Tirone & Mervat Sha’ini

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  1. Natalie R. Stevens
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  3. Teresa A. Lillis
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Correspondence to Natalie R. Stevens.

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Natalie R. Stevens, Nicole M. Heath, Teresa A. Lillis, Kenleigh McMinn, Vanessa Tirone, Mervat Sha’ini declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

Human and animal rights and Informed consent

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

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Stevens, N.R., Heath, N.M., Lillis, T.A. et al. Examining the effectiveness of a coordinated perinatal mental health care model using an intersectional-feminist perspective. J Behav Med 41, 627–640 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-018-9973-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-018-9973-0

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