Dissertation Abstract: Glenna Barnes

UNDERSTANDING THE SOCIAL AND CULTURAL FACTORS RELATED TO AFRICAN AMERICAN INFANT MORTALITY: A PHENOMENOLOGICAL APPROACH

Twice as many African American infants die each year when compared to white infants. While infant mortality rates have declined for all ethnic groups in the United States over the past fifty years, the racial gap has remained persistent, and is not fully understood despite numerous quantitative studies. The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experiences of African American women in relationship to the black gap in infant mortality. Thirteen African American women participated in either a focus group or in-depth interviews. Women were asked to use their life experiences to identify factors that would increase the understanding of African American infant mortality. Several themes emerged indicating that the experience of stress and racism are constant factors in African American women’s lives and are inseparable from their pregnancy experience. Social workers must form strong interpersonal relationships with African American women and advocate for comprehensive health care regardless of pregnancy status. Providing health care during prenatal and postpartum periods has not addressed the issues surrounding infant mortality in a holistic manner. It is paramount that research methods be expanded to adequately explore the complexities of race and the impact of racism on health.