A review of the empirical measures on becoming a mother and their relevance to the American Indian/Native Alaskan mother: implications for research and policy
Abstract
American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/NA) mothers are at an increased risk for postpartum mental health disorders. One risk factor for developing a disorder is maladaptive beliefs about becoming a mother (BAM). The maternal role transition is measured using scales that often assess the risk of developing postpartum depression (PPD). AI/AN women have had their motherhood historically marginalized through forced sterilizations and the removal of their children. As such, a review of the literature is warranted to evaluate the validity of BAM measures with AI/AN populations. This review included 36 studies and assessed BAM measures for reliability and validity. Only five studies included AI/AN populations. As such, this review indicates BAM measurements have not been used reliably with AI/AN populations. Further research needs to be conducted to understand the culturally specific mothering practices of AI/AN mothers before BAM measures can be used to assess postpartum mental health disorders for this population.
Publication Title
Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work
Recommended Citation
Maxwell, D., & Leat, S. (2022). A review of the empirical measures on becoming a mother and their relevance to the American Indian/Native Alaskan mother: implications for research and policy. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Diversity in Social Work, 31 (2), 63-83. https://doi.org/10.1080/15313204.2022.2041520
