Structural Violence and Stress Experiences of Young Pregnant Black People

This study utilizes the Health Disparities Research Framework to conceptualize drivers of stress related to maternal health outcomes for young Black women. We conducted a thematic analysis to identify stressors for young Black women.ResultsFindings revealed the following overarching themes: Societal stress of being young, Black, and pregnant; Community level systems that perpetuate stress and structural violence; Interpersonal level stressors; Individual level effects of stress on mom and baby; and Coping with stress.DiscussionAcknowledging and naming structural violence and addressing structures that create and fuel stress for young pregnant Black people are important first steps to interrogating systems that allow for nuanced power dynamics and for recognizing the full humanity of young pregnant Black people.
Source: Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities - Category: International Medicine & Public Health Source Type: research