Linking Experiences of Interpersonal Racism and Pandemic Worries to Postpartum Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among Asian Birthing Individuals.

Publication date: Jul 18, 2026

The COVID-19 pandemic was disruptive to birthing individuals’ peripartum experiences. This study examined associations between interpersonal racism experiences, pandemic worries, and mental health of Asian and Non-Hispanic white birthing individuals receiving prenatal care in a large northeastern healthcare system. The sample (N=122; Age, M = 33. 6, SD = 3. 73) was n=61 Asian and n=61 white individuals who were propensity matched on age at childbirth, gestational age, relationship status, income, and educational attainment. Participants completed self-report surveys on discrimination experiences, pandemic worries, and general mental health at 10-15 weeks postpartum. Asian individuals reported experiencing significantly more interpersonal racism compared to matched white individuals. Pandemic worries were associated with anxiety and depressive symptoms in the entire sample. Among Asian individuals, the association between pandemic worries and anxiety was stronger among those who reported more interpersonal racism. While postpartum birthing individuals experienced heightened worry during the pandemic, which may have increased risk for anxiety, this association was pronounced among Asian individuals who experienced interpersonal racism.

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