Hiya Lisa,
There are a number of studies that have shown a link between depressive symptomatology in mothers of young children and literacy which is not exactly the same as maternal depression but close. I have studied depressive symptomatology in pregnancy and the immediate postpartum period and have found an independent association between low literacy and elevated depressive symptomatology. I am working on the manuscript for the postpartum case among African American inner city women but an analysis of Latinas with poor English proficiency was published earlier this year. The interesting thing about that is that the risk was associated with low literacy in the native language suggesting that it is somehow independent of low literacy in English - how we don't know.
Literacy and depressive symptomatology among pregnant Latinas with limited English proficiency.
By Bennett, Ian M.; Culhane, Jennifer F.; McCollum, Kelly F.; Mathew, Leny; Elo, Irma T.
American Journal of Orthopsychiatry. 2007 Apr Vol 77(2) 243-248

Ian Bennett

________________________________

From: povertyracewomen-bounces at nifl.gov on behalf of Lisa Bernstein
Sent: Fri 8/10/2007 11:07 AM
To: The Poverty, Race,Women and Literacy Discussion List
Cc: Eve Weiss
Subject: [PovertyRaceWomen 973] Re: Job announcement


Hi all, I wonder if I could get some advice, help guidance on current research.
 
I'm looking for links between poverty and depression (specifically perinatal depression) and literacy skills and depression (I don't think anyone has studied literacy and perinatal depression.)    
 
Perinatal - pre and postpartum depression is finally gaining the attention and research it so desperately needs.  But much of the research and attention is going to the Brooke Shields of the world rather than our population.  I'm hoping to create some linkages as a call for research in the areas of poverty, literacy levels and perinatal depression.  If there's any research anyone on the list has done, or articles you think I should be sure to look at, or even a quote you would like to give me from your own anecdotal experience it would be VERY much appreciated.  Thanks all, 
Lisa
 


-- 
Lisa Bernstein
Executive Director
The What To Expect Foundation
144 W. 80th Street
New York, NY 10024
212-712-9764
www.whattoexpect.org

Providing prenatal health and literacy support so that women in need know what to expect when expecting. 


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