Bi-dimensional acculturation and social support on perinatal depression in marriage-based immigrant women

Hung-Hui Chen; Jerry Cheng-Yen Lai; Kung-Liahng Wang; Li-Yin Chien

doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2022.08.001

Bi-dimensional acculturation and social support on perinatal depression in marriage-based immigrant women

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2022 Dec:41:227-233. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2022.08.001. Epub 2022 Aug 13.

Authors

Hung-Hui Chen¹, Jerry Cheng-Yen Lai², Kung-Liahng Wang³, Li-Yin Chien⁴

Affiliations

¹ School of Nursing, College of Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan Address: No.1, Sec. 1, Ren'ai Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100233, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Address: No.7, Chung Shan S. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 100225, Taiwan. Electronic address: hunghuichen@ntu.edu.tw.
² Department of Medical Research, Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taitung City, Taiwan Address: No.1, Lane 303, Changsha Street, Taitung, 95054, Taiwan. Electronic address: g140.g140@mmh.org.tw.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Taitung MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taitung, Taiwan Address: No.1, Lane 303, Changsha Street, Taitung 95054, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, MacKay Junior College of Medicine, Nursing, and Management, Taipei, Taiwan Address: No.92, Shengjing Rd., Beitou Dist., Taipei City 11272, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan Address: No.92, Section 2, Zhongshan N. Rd., Zhongzheng Dist., Taipei City 10449, Taiwan; Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City, Taiwan Address: No.46, Section 3, Zhongzheng Rd., Sanzhi District, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan. Electronic address: KL421229@ms6.hinet.net.
⁴ Institute of Community Health Care, Collage of Nursing, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University/Yang-Ming Campus, Taipei, Taiwan Address: No.155, Sec. 2, Linong St., Beitou Dist., Taipei City 112304, Taiwan. Electronic address: lychien@nycu.edu.tw.

PMID: 36428054
DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2022.08.001

Abstract

Background: Sociocultural factors play critical roles in the mental health of marriage-based immigrant women. However, the effect of bi-dimensional acculturation ("adaptation to host culture" and "maintenance of heritage culture") and social support on perinatal depression across time was unknown among them.

Objective: To examine the effect of bi-dimensional acculturation and social support on perinatal depression among marriage-based immigrant women in Taiwan.

Methods: This longitudinal study recruited 310 immigrant mothers to complete structured questionnaires during pregnancy and postpartum periods. Depression was assessed using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale. Bi-dimensional acculturation was measured using the Bi-dimensional Acculturation Scale for Marriage-Based Immigrant Women. Social support was measured by a three-subscale instrument, namely emotional, instrumental, and informational support.

Results: Depression scores increased from pregnancy to three months postpartum, and decreased from six to twelve months postpartum. The generalized estimating equation results showed that lower adaptation to host culture, emotional support, and informational support were associated with higher maternal depression scores over time. Maintaining heritage culture has both positive (from pregnancy to three months postpartum) and negative associations (from six to twelve months postpartum) with maternal depression, further, increased emotional support enhanced the protective effect of adaptation to host culture, but decreased the positive effect of maintenance of heritage culture on depression.

Conclusion: Strategies should be developed to assist perinatal immigrant women to adapt to the host culture, maintain their heritage culture, and resolve potential cultural conflicts to decrease their depression. Respect for immigrant mothers' heritage cultures should be accompanied by increased emotional support.

Keywords: Childbirth; Depressive symptoms; Longitudinal; Migration; Pregnancy; Transnational marriage.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Acculturation
Depression / psychology
Depression, Postpartum* / psychology
Emigrants and Immigrants*
Female
Humans
Longitudinal Studies
Marriage
Pregnancy
Social Support