The Impact of Low Socioeconomic Status on Postpartum Depression in the United States
Location
Turner Gymnasium
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Presentation Type
Printed poster
Entry Number
25
Start Date
4-16-2026 12:00 PM
End Date
4-16-2026 1:15 PM
School
School of Medicine and Health Sciences
Department
Nursing
Keywords
Postpartum depression, mental health, low income, high income
Abstract
Postpartum depression is a serious and prevalent mental health condition that affects women following childbirth. By evaluating and summarizing the research from 2021 to 2025, the findings that were extracted showed that there was a direct influence of women with low socioeconomic status, particularly low income, on postpartum depression rates found within the United States. Studies have shown that women from a low-income background are at a significantly higher risk of developing postpartum depression compared to high-income women. The research demonstrated that women of lower income had limited support systems, reduced access to resources and health care services, limited education regarding postpartum depression, insufficient financial means to support themselves and their growing families, and inadequate insurance. In contrast, higher-income women generally have better access to healthcare and mental health services, greater access to prenatal and postpartum care, and a better support system, which all help decrease the risk of developing postpartum depression. Addressing these income-related disparities is important not only for reducing the rates of postpartum depression but also to ease the strain on spousal and family relationships and reduce the long-term developmental effects on children. This review aims to explore the relationship between income levels and the prevalence of postpartum depression, as well as explore different interventions and support strategies that could help decrease the rate of postpartum depression found among low-income women in the United States.
Primary Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Susan Braud
Primary Faculty Mentor(s) Department
Nursing
Rights Statement
The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.
The Impact of Low Socioeconomic Status on Postpartum Depression in the United States
Turner Gymnasium
Postpartum depression is a serious and prevalent mental health condition that affects women following childbirth. By evaluating and summarizing the research from 2021 to 2025, the findings that were extracted showed that there was a direct influence of women with low socioeconomic status, particularly low income, on postpartum depression rates found within the United States. Studies have shown that women from a low-income background are at a significantly higher risk of developing postpartum depression compared to high-income women. The research demonstrated that women of lower income had limited support systems, reduced access to resources and health care services, limited education regarding postpartum depression, insufficient financial means to support themselves and their growing families, and inadequate insurance. In contrast, higher-income women generally have better access to healthcare and mental health services, greater access to prenatal and postpartum care, and a better support system, which all help decrease the risk of developing postpartum depression. Addressing these income-related disparities is important not only for reducing the rates of postpartum depression but also to ease the strain on spousal and family relationships and reduce the long-term developmental effects on children. This review aims to explore the relationship between income levels and the prevalence of postpartum depression, as well as explore different interventions and support strategies that could help decrease the rate of postpartum depression found among low-income women in the United States.