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Systematic review, 2023

Do different racial and ethnic groups experience depression, anxiety, and PMDD differently?

The review found inconsistent results. Women of color generally reported lower depression rates than White women, but they may experience different or more severe symptom patterns.

Early or limited evidence US women of different racial and ethnic groups (from existing reviews)

What they did

Narrative synthesis (review of other reviews) of 7 systematic reviews and meta-analyses examining racial and ethnic differences in mental health in US women.

What they found

No reviews specifically on anxiety or PMDD met inclusion criteria. Results for depression were mixed, but women of color generally reported lower rates than White women, though with different symptom patterns. Review quality varied (5 critically low confidence, 1 low, 1 high).

What it means for you

How mental health is measured and diagnosed may differ across racial and ethnic groups, making direct comparisons difficult. More rigorous research is needed specifically on PMDD and anxiety across different groups.

7

Systematic reviews analyzed

5

Critically low confidence reviews

1

High confidence review

About the study

Original title
Racial and ethnic disparities in women's mental health: a narrative synthesis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the US-based samples
Authors
Phimphasone-Brady P, Page CE, Ali DA et al.
Journal
Fertility and sterility
Year
2023
Study design
Systematic review
What was tested
None (observation of mental health outcomes across racial/ethnic groups)
Open access
Yes

Topics