Exploring the Impact of Weathering on Maternal Mental Health: Can Stress be Inherited?-View Presentation

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The final installment of APA's summer webinar series on maternal mental health highlights the concept of "weathering," which refers to the chronic stress effects experienced by marginalized groups due to systemic oppression. Dr. Arlene Geronimus, who coined the term, explains that weathering accounts for the accelerated aging and health issues, including mental health challenges, faced by Black Americans and others subjected to systemic racism and classism. This phenomenon results in individuals displaying the health problems of significantly older individuals from more privileged groups. Studies show that these chronic stressors not only impact physical health, like increased risks of preterm birth and maternal mortality but also exacerbate mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD, particularly among marginalized women during and after pregnancy.<br /><br />The webinar also showcased Dr. Marsha Baker and Dr. Nadia Ibrahim focusing on the real-world implications of weathering. Dr. Baker emphasized Black women's disproportionate maternal health risks despite socioeconomic status, pointing to the role of chronic stress and systemic neglect from healthcare systems. Dr. Ibrahim discussed her research showing how these negative pregnancy and birth experiences are biologically embedded, influencing maternal mental health. Protective factors against weathering include nurturing environments informed by cultural contexts, with traditional support systems such as extended families playing a crucial role. The discussion concluded that addressing weathering effectively requires comprehensive policy changes and collective action from healthcare professionals, advocating for structural reforms and personalized care approaches.

Keywords

maternal mental health

weathering

systemic oppression

Dr. Arlene Geronimus

chronic stress

Black Americans

systemic racism

maternal mortality

mental health challenges

Dr. Marsha Baker

Dr. Nadia Ibrahim