Abstract
We examined the effects of acculturation, depressive symptoms, progesterone, and estriol (E3) as predictors of preterm birth
(PTB) in pregnant Hispanic women. This cross-sectional study recruited a sample of 470 Hispanic women between 22- and 24-week
gestation from physician practices and community clinics. We used the CES-D to measure maternal depressive symptoms. We measured
acculturation by English proficiency on the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale, residence index by years in the USA minus age,
nativity, and generational status. Serum progesterone and E3 were analyzed by EIA. Ultrasound and medical records determined
gestational age after delivery. In χ
2 analysis, there were a significantly greater percentage of women with higher depressive scores if they were born in the USA.
In a structural equation model (SEM), acculturation (English proficiency, residence index, and generational status) predicted
the estriol/progesterone ratio (E/P), and the interaction of depressive symptoms with the E/P ratio predicted PTB. Undiagnosed
depressive symptoms during pregnancy may have biological consequences increasing the risk for PTB.
(PTB) in pregnant Hispanic women. This cross-sectional study recruited a sample of 470 Hispanic women between 22- and 24-week
gestation from physician practices and community clinics. We used the CES-D to measure maternal depressive symptoms. We measured
acculturation by English proficiency on the Bidimensional Acculturation Scale, residence index by years in the USA minus age,
nativity, and generational status. Serum progesterone and E3 were analyzed by EIA. Ultrasound and medical records determined
gestational age after delivery. In χ
2 analysis, there were a significantly greater percentage of women with higher depressive scores if they were born in the USA.
In a structural equation model (SEM), acculturation (English proficiency, residence index, and generational status) predicted
the estriol/progesterone ratio (E/P), and the interaction of depressive symptoms with the E/P ratio predicted PTB. Undiagnosed
depressive symptoms during pregnancy may have biological consequences increasing the risk for PTB.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s00737-012-0258-2
- Authors
- R. Jeanne Ruiz, The School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, 1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701-1499, USA
- C. Nathan Marti, Consulting Services Division of Statistics and Scientific Computation, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA
- Rita Pickler, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA
- Christina Murphey, The School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, 1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701-1499, USA
- Joel Wommack, The School of Nursing, The University of Texas at Austin, 1700 Red River, Austin, TX 78701-1499, USA
- Charles E. L. Brown, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical School, Austin, TX, USA
- Journal Archives of Women’s Mental Health
- Online ISSN 1435-1102
- Print ISSN 1434-1816