Hoang TMH, Lee BA, Hsieh WJ, Lukacena KM, Tabb KM. Experiences of racial Trauma among perinatal women of color in seeking healthcare services.
Gen Hosp Psychiatry 2023;
84:60-66. [PMID:
37393649 DOI:
10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2023.06.015]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To describe the experiences of perinatal Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) women in healthcare interactions.
METHODS
We conducted eight virtual focus groups with perinatal BIPOC women across the USA from November 2021 to March 2022. A semi-structured interview protocol was used, and focus groups were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Our team used reflexive thematic analysis to analyze the qualitative data and describe our findings.
RESULTS
Three latent themes emerged related to racial trauma in healthcare interactions: (1) observations and experiences of anti-Black bias, (2) experiences of dismissal of pain and withholding of care, particularly among Black and Latinx patients, and (3) common race-based traumatic experiences across all BIPOC women, including a consistent lack of bodily autonomy and deferral to White people for decision-making. Recommendations from participants included more transparent communication and greater empathic care for all patients, with calls to specifically address anti-Black bias in healthcare treatment.
CONCLUSION
The study's findings suggest that perinatal healthcare needs to reduce mental stress and exposure to racial trauma for perinatal BIPOC women. This study offers a discussion of implications for future training for healthcare providers and implications for addressing systemic racial disparities in perinatal mental health.
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