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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 1/2013

01-02-2013 | Original Article

Maternal Experiences with Everyday Discrimination and Infant Birth Weight: A Test of Mediators and Moderators Among Young, Urban Women of Color

Authors: Valerie A. Earnshaw, Ph.D., Lisa Rosenthal, Ph.D., Jessica B. Lewis, LMFT, Emily C. Stasko, MPH, Jonathan N. Tobin, Ph.D., Tené T. Lewis, Ph.D., Allecia E. Reid, Ph.D., Jeannette R. Ickovics, Ph.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Racial/ethnic disparities in birth weight persist within the USA.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between maternal everyday discrimination and infant birth weight among young, urban women of color as well as mediators (depressive symptoms, pregnancy distress, and pregnancy symptoms) and moderators (age, race/ethnicity, and attributions of discrimination) of this association.

Methods

A total of 420 women participated (14–21 years old; 62 % Latina, 38 % Black), completing measures of everyday discrimination and moderators during their second trimester of pregnancy and mediators during their third trimester. Birth weight was primarily recorded from medical record review.

Results

Path analysis demonstrated that everyday discrimination was associated with lower birth weight. Depressive symptoms mediated this relationship, and no tested factors moderated this relationship.

Conclusions

Given the association between birth weight and health across the lifespan, it is critical to reduce discrimination directed at young, urban women of color so that all children can begin life with greater promise for health.
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Metadata
Title
Maternal Experiences with Everyday Discrimination and Infant Birth Weight: A Test of Mediators and Moderators Among Young, Urban Women of Color
Authors
Valerie A. Earnshaw, Ph.D.
Lisa Rosenthal, Ph.D.
Jessica B. Lewis, LMFT
Emily C. Stasko, MPH
Jonathan N. Tobin, Ph.D.
Tené T. Lewis, Ph.D.
Allecia E. Reid, Ph.D.
Jeannette R. Ickovics, Ph.D.
Publication date
01-02-2013
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 1/2013
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-012-9404-3

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