Psychosocial Factors and Preterm Birth among African American and White Women in Central North Carolina
Journal Article
Dole, Nancy
Savitz, David A.
Siega-Riz, Anna Maria
Hertz-Picciotto, Irva
McMahon, Michael J.
Buekens, Pierre
2004
American Journal of Public Health
94
8
1358-65
PMC1448456
2151
Objectives: We assessed associations between psychosocial factors and preterm birth, stratified by race in a prospective cohort study.
Methods: We surveyed 1898 women who used university and public health prenatal clinics regarding various psychosocial factors.
Results: African Americans were at higher risk of preterm birth if they used distancing from problems as a coping mechanism or reported racial discrimination. Whites were at higher risk if they had high counts of negative life events or were not living with a partner. The association of pregnancy-related anxiety with preterm birth weakened when medical comorbidities were taken into account. No association with preterm birth was found for depression, general social support, or church attendance.
Conclusions: Some associations between psychosocial variables and preterm birth differed by race.
Biological and Social Interactions
Population Movement, Diversity, Inequality
2151.ris
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