Pregnancy anxiety in expectant mothers predicts offspring negative affect: The moderating role of acculturation. (February 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mahrer, Nicole E.; Ramos, Isabel F.; Guardino, Christine; Davis, Elysia Poggi; Ramey, Sharon L.; Shalowitz, Madeleine; Dunkel Schetter, Christine
• Is Part Of: Early human development. Volume 141(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-02
• Subjects: Pregnancy anxiety -- Prenatal anxiety -- Latina mothers -- Child negative affect -- Ethnicity -- Acculturation; Fetus -- Periodicals; Neonatology -- Periodicals; Prenatal influences -- Periodicals; 612.65
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2019.104932
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0378-3782

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Pregnancy anxiety predicts adverse developmental outcomes in offspring from infancy through late childhood, but studies have not examined associations with outcomes in early childhood, nor clarified ethnic or cultural variations in these processes. Aims: (1) To examine differences in pregnancy anxiety and related concerns between non-Hispanic White women, Latina women who prefer to speak in English, and Latinas who prefer Spanish; (2) To test prospective associations between pregnancy anxiety and child negative affect and moderation by ethnicity and language preference, used as a proxy for acculturation. Study design and methods: This longitudinal study included 95 women (40 Non-Hispanic Whites, 31 Spanish-preference Latinas, and 24 English-preference Latinas). Language preference was provided at study entry. Pregnancy anxiety was assessed in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy with two standardized measures. Mothers reported child negative affect at age 4. Results: Spanish-preference Latinas had significantly more pregnancy-related anxiety about their health and safety in childbirth and concerning the medical system compared to English-preference Latinas and non-Hispanic White women. Adjusting for covariates, pregnancy anxiety in the second trimester, though not the third trimester, predicted significantly higher child negative affect in the full sample. A significant moderation effect indicated that the association was strongest among the lower acculturated Latinas, i.e., those who preferred Spanish. Conclusion: These results document higher risk for offspring associated with pregnancy anxiety in the second trimester especially among less acculturated Latina women, and suggest the need for culturally-sensitive screening tools and interventions to improve outcomes for Latina mothers and their children. Highlights: Less acculturated U.S. Latinas worry about their health and safety in childbirth. Non-Hispanic White women in the U.S. worry more about their future parenting. Pregnancy anxiety in 2nd trimester increases risk for child negativity at age 4. Pregnancy anxiety risk for children is highest among less acculturated Latinas.