This pilot study examined associations between prenatal individual and socioenvironmental determinants of health and symptoms of perinatal maternal distress (PMD) in women enrolled in midwifery practice and living in a rural state. Pearson's correlations between prenatal predictors and PMD scores were calculated. Having experienced emotional abuse in one's lifetime, total number of past year stressors, and everyday discrimination score were all statistically significant predictors of PMD at study enrollment and follow-up. Result suggest shifting to a multi-symptom, life course assessment and intervention paradigm, tailored to the context of specific populations, may improve perinatal care and reduce disparities.
Keywords: discrimination; perinatal mental health; social determinants of health; stress.