Keywords

African American women, church attendance, church support, depressive symptoms, nursing, pregnancy, psychological well-being

 

Authors

  1. Giurgescu, Carmen
  2. Murn, Nicole L.

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Depression during pregnancy is common, and pregnant African American (AA) women are more likely to experience depressive symptoms compared with pregnant non-Hispanic white women. This study explored AA women's experience of church attendance, church member support, depressive symptoms, and psychological well-being at 15-25 weeks' gestation. Nurses need to be aware of the importance of church support and encourage clergy and church members to be supportive of pregnant women.