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Ethnic differences in psychosocial stress during pregnancy
PRIMARY CARE
differences among pregnant women in psychosocial distress and financial resources.
Ethnic Differences in Psychosocial Stress during Pregnancy
METHODS: National population-based data from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed using multivariate statistical procedures. The survey elicited self-report data on pregnancy, psychosocial distress, and financial resources. Correlational analysis compared the relationship between pregnancy and psychosocial distress among white and African-American women, controlling for their financial resources.
Stephen J. Morewitz, PhD Morewitz & Associates–Cal College of Podiatric Medicine, San Francisco, CA
OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy may present significant psychological challenges because it can severely disrupt social, family, and occupational functioning (Ayers, 2001). Few researchers have examined the extent to which ethnic factors are related to psychosocial problems during pregnancy. This study tests the null hypothesis that there are no ethnic differences in how pregnant women report psychosocial problems. METHODS: National data from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed using multivariate procedures. The 1998 National Health Interview Survey is a national sample of adults, which elicited self-report data on pregnancy and psychological problems. Correlational analysis compared pregnant whites and African Americans who reported psychosocial difficulties and impairment. Other possible predictor variables were statistically controlled using partial correlational procedures. RESULTS: Bivariate correlational analysis showed that among African Americans, pregnancy was positively associated with feeling restless (r ⫽ ⫹0.145, P ⬍ 0.000, n ⫽ 1,747) and feeling that everything was an effort for them (r ⫽ ⫹0.116, P ⬍ 0.000, n ⫽ 1,747). In contrast, among whites, the relationship between pregnancy and similar psychosocial stress was minimal. However, after controlling for major health problems, there were no longer any ethnic differences among the pregnant women with regard to psychosocial distress. CONCLUSION: Ethnic differences in how pregnant women report psychosocial problems were eliminated after adjusting for major health problems. These findings highlight the importance of major health problems as determinants of psychological stress in pregnant women, regardless of ethnic background.
Psychosocial Distress and Financial Resources during Pregnancy Stephen J. Morewitz, PhD Morewitz & Associates/Cal College of Podiatric Medicine, San Francisco, CA
OBJECTIVE: There is increased recognition of the psychosocial, health, and financial difficulties facing pregnant women as they cope with disruptions in social, family, and occupational functioning (Tambyrajia and Mongelli, 2000). The present investigation tests the null hypothesis that there are no ethnic
98S
WEDNESDAY POSTERS
RESULTS: Bivariate correlational analysis showed that among African Americans, pregnancy was positively associated with feeling worthless (r ⫽ ⫹0.155, P ⬍ 0.000, n ⫽ 1,747) and feeling hopeless (r ⫽ ⫹0.153, P ⬍ 0.000, n ⫽ 1,747). In contrast, among white women, the relationship between pregnancy and similar psychosocial distress was minimal. However, after controlling for financial resources, such as the ability of women to afford prescription medicine, these ethnic differences were no longer significant. CONCLUSION: Ethnic differences in women’s degree of psychosocial distress during pregnancy were eliminated after controlling for financial resources. These findings are consistent with the notion that financial resources significantly affect psychosocial distress during pregnancy.
The Obstetrician–Gynecologist’s Role in Primary Care Screening and Treatment Dale C. Robinson, MD Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Rachel E. Reitan, MD, Orlandis Wells, MD, Glenn N. Jones, PhD, and Richard S. Gist, MD OBJECTIVE: To assess by survey the management role of obstetrician– gynecologists in certain primary care diseases. METHODS: Masked questionnaires requesting demographic, knowledge-based, practice, and attitudinal data were sent to 976 Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-eight physicians responded to the survey. A minority (40%) of respondents identified themselves as primary care providers. Survey participants agreed that the role of the ob-gyn should include screening for diabetes mellitus, screening for hyperlipidemia, or prescribing medication for hypertension, or to aid in smoking cessation in 67%, 72%, 30%, and 77% of cases, respectively. Respondents were asked about their practice patterns; 70% and 75% of respondents screen for diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia, respectively. Survey respondents report treatment of hypertension or provision of smoking cessation aids in 25% and 70% of cases. Overall, 32% of respondents thought they had received
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY
differences among pregnant women in psychosocial distress and financial resources.
Ethnic Differences in Psychosocial Stress during Pregnancy
METHODS: National population-based data from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed using multivariate statistical procedures. The survey elicited self-report data on pregnancy, psychosocial distress, and financial resources. Correlational analysis compared the relationship between pregnancy and psychosocial distress among white and African-American women, controlling for their financial resources.
Stephen J. Morewitz, PhD Morewitz & Associates–Cal College of Podiatric Medicine, San Francisco, CA
OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy may present significant psychological challenges because it can severely disrupt social, family, and occupational functioning (Ayers, 2001). Few researchers have examined the extent to which ethnic factors are related to psychosocial problems during pregnancy. This study tests the null hypothesis that there are no ethnic differences in how pregnant women report psychosocial problems. METHODS: National data from the 1998 National Health Interview Survey were analyzed using multivariate procedures. The 1998 National Health Interview Survey is a national sample of adults, which elicited self-report data on pregnancy and psychological problems. Correlational analysis compared pregnant whites and African Americans who reported psychosocial difficulties and impairment. Other possible predictor variables were statistically controlled using partial correlational procedures. RESULTS: Bivariate correlational analysis showed that among African Americans, pregnancy was positively associated with feeling restless (r ⫽ ⫹0.145, P ⬍ 0.000, n ⫽ 1,747) and feeling that everything was an effort for them (r ⫽ ⫹0.116, P ⬍ 0.000, n ⫽ 1,747). In contrast, among whites, the relationship between pregnancy and similar psychosocial stress was minimal. However, after controlling for major health problems, there were no longer any ethnic differences among the pregnant women with regard to psychosocial distress. CONCLUSION: Ethnic differences in how pregnant women report psychosocial problems were eliminated after adjusting for major health problems. These findings highlight the importance of major health problems as determinants of psychological stress in pregnant women, regardless of ethnic background.
Psychosocial Distress and Financial Resources during Pregnancy Stephen J. Morewitz, PhD Morewitz & Associates/Cal College of Podiatric Medicine, San Francisco, CA
OBJECTIVE: There is increased recognition of the psychosocial, health, and financial difficulties facing pregnant women as they cope with disruptions in social, family, and occupational functioning (Tambyrajia and Mongelli, 2000). The present investigation tests the null hypothesis that there are no ethnic
98S
WEDNESDAY POSTERS
RESULTS: Bivariate correlational analysis showed that among African Americans, pregnancy was positively associated with feeling worthless (r ⫽ ⫹0.155, P ⬍ 0.000, n ⫽ 1,747) and feeling hopeless (r ⫽ ⫹0.153, P ⬍ 0.000, n ⫽ 1,747). In contrast, among white women, the relationship between pregnancy and similar psychosocial distress was minimal. However, after controlling for financial resources, such as the ability of women to afford prescription medicine, these ethnic differences were no longer significant. CONCLUSION: Ethnic differences in women’s degree of psychosocial distress during pregnancy were eliminated after controlling for financial resources. These findings are consistent with the notion that financial resources significantly affect psychosocial distress during pregnancy.
The Obstetrician–Gynecologist’s Role in Primary Care Screening and Treatment Dale C. Robinson, MD Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA
Rachel E. Reitan, MD, Orlandis Wells, MD, Glenn N. Jones, PhD, and Richard S. Gist, MD OBJECTIVE: To assess by survey the management role of obstetrician– gynecologists in certain primary care diseases. METHODS: Masked questionnaires requesting demographic, knowledge-based, practice, and attitudinal data were sent to 976 Fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. RESULTS: Three hundred sixty-eight physicians responded to the survey. A minority (40%) of respondents identified themselves as primary care providers. Survey participants agreed that the role of the ob-gyn should include screening for diabetes mellitus, screening for hyperlipidemia, or prescribing medication for hypertension, or to aid in smoking cessation in 67%, 72%, 30%, and 77% of cases, respectively. Respondents were asked about their practice patterns; 70% and 75% of respondents screen for diabetes mellitus and hyperlipidemia, respectively. Survey respondents report treatment of hypertension or provision of smoking cessation aids in 25% and 70% of cases. Overall, 32% of respondents thought they had received
OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY