Researchers at the University of Texas’ School of Public Health and Health Science Center have published a study in the Maternal and Child Health Journal finding that "Americanized" U.S. and Mexican-born pregnant and postpartum Latinas have higher levels of depression. They describe “Americanization” as the process by which immigrants adopt the lifestyle and customs of their host nation, lead author Marivel Davila said.
"Elevated levels of depression were reported by the women born in the United States, as well as those who asked to conduct their interviews in English. Two non-acculturation variables were associated with elevated depression – being single and being pregnant.
‘Screening for depression during pregnancy is important for this population group, given Latinas’ high rates of fertility and births to single women, particularly among more acculturated U.S.- born Latinas,’ Davila and her colleagues wrote in the article …"
