Keywords

Health information, competence, psychological well-being, coping, pregnancy, black pregnant women

Abstract

Mental health conditions are a leading cause of maternal mortality in the U.S. Black pregnant women face higher rates of maternal mortality than their counterparts. Health information competence, an individual’s perception to obtain, understand and apply health information, studied among women with breast cancer was a modifiable factor for positive health outcomes. There is limited research among pregnant women, specifically Black pregnant women. No research has examined associations of health information competence, coping, and psychological well-being. The first manuscript reports an integrative literature review about health information competence and associated factors. This integrative review supports health information competence as a modifiable factor and identifies a gap in knowledge among Black pregnant women. The subsequent manuscripts present findings from two secondary data analyses. Each study had a cross-sectional study design using subsample (n = 207) data from a parent study - Biosocial Impact on Black Births. The first study examined the association of maternal characteristics with health information competence among Black pregnant women. This study helped fill the gap in knowledge for this population identified in the literature review, suggesting ways to improve maternal outcomes and health disparities. The second study examined associations among health information competence, coping strategies, and psychological well-being. This study revealed a mediating effect of coping strategies on the association between health information competence and psychological well-being among Black pregnant women. This finding suggests ways to improve psychological well-being through health information competence and the coping strategies of positive interpretation of events and avoidance coping.

Completion Date

2026

Semester

Spring

Committee Chair

Jean Davis

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

College

College of Nursing

Department

Nursing Systems

Format

PDF

Document Type

Dissertation

Identifier

DP0053167

Release Date

5-15-2028

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Available for download on Monday, May 15, 2028

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