Oppression Based Traumatic Stress As a Predictor of Post Partum Depression Among African American Women

Research consistently supports that racial disparities exist in the prevalence of postpartum depression (PPD), with African American mothers experiencing PPD at a higher rate than white mothers (Onyewuenyi et al, 2023). Consequently, research that attempts to understand potential antecedents of PPD in African American mothers may help with the development of better interventions to reduce PPD among this subpopulation. Theory suggests that oppression based traumatic stress (OBTS) may be a contributing factor to PPD among African American mothers. OBTS refers to psychological injuries that can result from prolonged exposure to racism, discrimination, and other forms of oppression (Holmes et al, 2023). In the current study, to test the theorized relationship of OBTS to PPD, we surveyed (N = 89) African American mothers who recently gave birth. The survey consisted of the Oppression Based Traumatic Stress Inventory (OBTSI) and the Edinberg Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). Other survey items captured mothers' income, education, and age. Income, education, and age were used as demographic covariates in a hierarchical regression model because of their established relationship with PPD. In step 1 of the model, the three covariates were entered, with the income having a significant, negative correlation with PPD (β = -.280, p = .041) . In step 2, OBTSI scores were also entered, specifically the OBTSI dimension of intrusive memories of experiences of discrimination. OBTSI scores accounted for additional variance in PPD over and above the covariates of step 1 (∆R² = .152; p < .001). Specifically, as theorized, OBTSI scores were positively correlated with greater PPD (β = .404; p < .001). Income also continued to be negatively associated with PPD (β = -.273; p = .031). Such results suggest that OBTS, in the form of intrusive memories of experiences of discrimination, plays a significant role in driving PPD among African American mothers across various incomes, education levels, and ages. These findings also support the conclusion that interventions to reduce PPD among African American mothers may benefit from also targeting lower OBTS as an outcome.