Cultural perceptions and social determinants of health in perinatal mental health: An obstetric‐psychiatric perspective

Abstract

Background: Perinatal mental health is significantly influenced by social and cultural determinants, including socioeconomic status, education, cultural beliefs, and healthcare access. These factors shape the prevalence, presentation, and outcomes of mental health disorders during pregnancy and postpartum, as well as influencing help‐seeking behaviors and treatment efficacy. The COVID‐19 pandemic has exacerbated disparities, particularly among socioeconomically disadvantaged populations, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive amd socially informed care. Objectives: This narrative review aims to compile current evidence on the intersection of cultural perceptions, social determinants, and perinatal mental health outcomes. Additionally, it proposes culturally acceptable interventions to address disparities in perinatal mental healthcare. Methodology: The review integrates the existing literature, focusing on the bidirectional relationship between maternal mental health and obstetric outcomes. It highlights the disproportionate concentration of research in high‐income, western countries and emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary approaches, such as the integration of psychiatric and obstetric perspectives, to address gaps in low‐ and middle‐income settings. Observations and Inferences: Key findings include the impact of economic instability, low maternal health literacy, limited healthcare access, and inadequate social support on perinatal mental health. Cultural factors, such as stigma, gender roles, and religious beliefs, further influence help‐seeking behaviors and treatment outcomes. Conclusions: The review underlines the lack of culturally attuned randomized controlled interventions aimed at perinatal mental health disorders and the need for culturally adapted measurement tools and methodologies. Recommendations include expanding mental health literacy campaigns, improving healthcare accessibility, and addressing systemic discrimination. Future research should focus on evaluating interventions for perinatal mental disorders, incorporating diverse populations, and addressing multimorbidity through holistic, interdisciplinary approaches.