An Intersectional Approach to Addressing Discrimination Among Pregnant Individuals in a Contemporary Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Date
2024-09-25
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Abstract
Background: Pregnant individuals may be vulnerable to discrimination due to existing social stigma and cultural norms surrounding pregnancy and motherhood, which can be exacerbated due to gender, race, or other aspects of their identity; however, it is unclear how intersecting identities overlap and interact to shape peoples’ everyday experiences. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence and experiences of discrimination among pregnant individuals with diverse intersectional identities. Methods: This secondary analysis used baseline data from 1,605 participants enrolled in a longitudinal pregnancy cohort study, the P3 Cohort Study. Latent class analysis was applied to identify different subgroups within the population based on combinations of their social positions and identities (i.e., race, gender expression, emotional health, physical health, income, disability, chronic illness, and age). Perceived discrimination was assessed via the Everyday Discrimination Scale (EDS), and linear regression was performed to compare the frequency, chronicity, and overall number of discriminatory encounters between subgroups. Results: Utilizing latent class analysis, the following three subgroups emerged: (1) Mostly Privileged and Healthy; (2) Somewhat Privileged with Chronic Conditions; (3) Somewhat Privileged, Predominantly Racialized. Class 2 (βfrequency = 0.8, p = 0.042; βchronicity = 45.2, p < 0.001; βsituations = 0.4, p = 0.040) and Class 3 (βfrequency = 0.2, p < 0.001; βchronicity = 31.5, p < 0.001; βsituations = 0.5, p < 0.001) were both positively associated with the frequency, chronicity, and total number of discrimination situations relative to Class 1. The primary reported reasons underlying discrimination experiences varied across latent classes, reflecting the intersecting identities that defined each cluster.
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Keywords
intersectionality, women's health, pregnancy, discrimination, structural inequity
Citation
Dharamsi, S. (2024). An intersectional approach to addressing discrimination among pregnant individuals in a contemporary population: a cross-sectional study (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.