The Burden of Postpartum Depression, Barriers to Treatment, and Disparities by Race Among Individuals in the United States: A Cross-Sectional Study
Background
Postpartum depression (PPD) is a serious, under-studied pregnancy-related complication. Racial disparities and financial barriers can impede access to PPD treatment.
Methods
An online, cross-sectional survey, covering symptoms of mood disorders, treatment history, and treatment barriers, was conducted in 2021 among US adults. In this population, we identified female participants self-reporting having ever received a PPD diagnosis (“PPD respondents”).
Results
Among PPD respondents (n=124), 47% identified as White and 53% as people of color (POC), including 28% Hispanic, 10% Black/African American, 2% Asian, 1% Native American/Alaskan Native, 11% multiracial, and 1% “other.” Most PPD respondents (94%) reported ≥1 symptom impacting daily life. Though similar proportions of White (94%) and POC (88%) PPD respondents reported ever receiving mental health treatment, White PPD respondents were more likely to report use of routine/maintenance psychiatric medication both currently (44% White, 12% POC; p < 0.05) and in their lifetime (84% White, 48% POC; p < 0.05). Many (73% White; 71% POC) reported having desired mental health treatment but not received it; common barriers in both groups were cost, difficulty finding providers/appointments, not knowing what treatment was needed, and worry about treatment. Stigma or lack of treatment awareness may also be barriers to effective care; for example, 26% of PPD respondents agreed people with mood disorders could “just snap out of it” if they tried (16% White, 35% POC).
Conclusions
These findings underscore the burden of mood disorder symptoms, racial disparities in treatment, and the need to improve PPD treatment access.
