5:15pm - 5:30pm (CDT) | 2175.0 - Influence of resilience and social support on the association between food insecurity and depressive symptoms during pregnancy: A moderated mediation model

Session: Improving Pregnancy Outcomes: Maternal Mental Health

Program: Maternal and Child Health

Authors:

Claire Masters, MHP

Jeannette Ickovics, PhD

Jessica Lewis, PhD

Abstract

Background

Food insecurity is a risk factor for depressive symptoms during pregnancy. Resilience and social support are recognized protective factors. While most research examines these factors separately, understanding their interaction is essential for assessing their cumulative impact on depressive symptoms.

Methods

Racially-diverse pregnant individuals (N=669) receiving Expect With Me group prenatal care in Detroit, MI and Nashville, TN completed surveys during second and third trimester of pregnancy. They were classified as food secure, acute food insecure, or chronically food insecure based on their responses at both time points. We conducted mediation models that explored the direct association of food insecurity (acute or chronic) with depressive symptoms and its indirect association via resilience. Additionally, we simultaneously examined how social support moderated the relationship between food insecurity, resilience, and depressive symptoms.

Results

Eighteen percent of pregnant individuals reported acute food insecurity, while 14% reported chronic food insecurity. Resilience partially mediated (17.1 – 17.9%) the association between food insecurity and depressive symptoms. Social support moderated the direct effect of the mediation model, specifically in the association between acute food insecurity and depressive symptoms (B= -0.45, 95% CI -0.81, -0.09). This moderation effect was not observed in the context of chronic food insecurity. Additionally, social support moderated the indirect effect of acute (B= 0.06, 95% CI 0.01, 0.12) and chronic (B= 0.05, 95%CI 0.01, 0.10) food insecurity on depressive symptoms through resilience.

Conclusions

Efforts to strengthen resilience and social support may help mitigate the adverse effects of food insecurity on depressive symptoms during pregnancy.