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Racial/ethnic differences in self-reported and biologic measures of chronic stress in pregnancy

Journal of Perinatology volume 35, pages 580–584 (2015)Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Objective:

Racial differences in chronic maternal stress may contribute to disparities in pregnancy outcomes. The objective is to identify racial and ethnic differences in self-reported and biologic measures of stress between non-Hispanic black (NHB) and non-Hispanic white (NHW) pregnant women.

Study Design:

NHB and NHW pregnant women were enrolled before 23 weeks of gestation in this prospective cohort study. Equal numbers of women were recruited with public vs private insurance in each racial group. Self-reported stress was measured and blood samples collected in the second and third trimesters were analyzed for serum Epstein–Barr virus antibody, C-reactive protein (CRP), corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and adenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH).

Results:

One hundred and twelve women were enrolled. NHW women reported more buffers against stress (P=0.04) and neighborhood satisfaction (P=0.02). NHB women reported more discrimination (P<0.001), food insecurity (P=0.04) and had significantly higher mean CRP levels and mean ACTH levels in the second and third trimesters.

Conclusion:

Significant differences in self-reported and biologic measures of chronic stress were identified between NHB and NHW pregnant women with similar economic characteristics. Future studies should investigate mechanisms underlying these differences and their relationship to pregnancy outcomes.

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Acknowledgements

Funding for this study was provided by The Evergreen Invitational Grand Prix Women’s Health Grant Initiative 2008–2009 and NIH/NICHD grant #1 K12 HD050121-02, Women’s Reproductive Health Research Program. This work was also supported by the NorthShore University HealthSystem Auxiliary Research Scholar Award and the NorthShore University HealthSystem Research Career Development Award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, NorthShore University HealthSystem, Evanston, IL, USA

    A E B Borders & S Qadir

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pritzker School of Medicine,

    A E B Borders

  3. University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA

    A E B Borders

  4. Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    A E B Borders

  5. Center for Healthcare Studies, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    A E B Borders, K Wolfe, J Holl & W Grobman

  6. Department of Preventative Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    K-Y Kim & J Holl

  7. Department of Pediatrics, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    J Holl

  8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    W Grobman

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  1. A E B Borders
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Correspondence to A E B Borders.

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Borders, A., Wolfe, K., Qadir, S. et al. Racial/ethnic differences in self-reported and biologic measures of chronic stress in pregnancy. J Perinatol 35, 580–584 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2015.18

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