Abstract

The purpose of this dissertation research was to examine the associations among experiences of racial discrimination, perceived stress and birth satisfaction among Black women, and to examine the mediating effect of perceived stress on the association of experiences of racial discrimination with birth satisfaction among Black women. The first manuscript is an integrative literature review which evaluates prior research of the association of stress with birth satisfaction, with consideration to studies that included Black women in their samples. This review revealed a need for further research evaluating stress and birth satisfaction specific to Black women. The second manuscript examines the associations among racial discrimination, perceived stress, and birth satisfaction among a sample of 154 Black women. Experiences of racial discrimination were positively correlated with perceived stress. Perceived stress was negatively correlated with birth satisfaction. Experiences of discrimination were not related to birth satisfaction. Racial discrimination had a positive effect on perceived stress, and perceived stress had a negative effect on birth satisfaction. Racial discrimination had no direct effect on birth satisfaction; therefore, perceived stress was not applicable as a mediator in the model. The third manuscript presents challenges and successful strategies faced in the recruitment and retention of Black women in the immediate postpartum period. This dissertation adds to the current body of knowledge regarding the effects of racial discrimination on perceived stress, and the relationship between perceived stress and birth satisfaction, while also presenting successful recruiting strategies of Black postpartum women in nursing research, which is crucial to reducing racial disparities in health care.

Notes

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Graduation Date

2023

Semester

Spring

Advisor

Giurgescu, Carmen

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Nursing

Department

Nursing

Degree Program

Nursing

Format

application/pdf

Identifier

CFE0009510; DP0027514

URL

https://purls.library.ucf.edu/go/DP0027514

Language

English

Release Date

May 2024

Length of Campus-only Access

1 year

Access Status

Doctoral Dissertation (Campus-only Access)

Location

UCF Online

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Restricted to the UCF community until May 2024; it will then be open access.

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