Racial and ethnic disparities in women's mental health: a narrative synthesis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses of the US-based samples

Over 2 decades of research indicate the significance of racial or ethnic disparities in mental illness in the United States. However, minoritized racial or ethnic groups tend to report overall lower prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders than White adults, although this varies depending on gender and race or ethnicity. We conducted a rigorous and systematic narrative synthesis on the differences in the prevalence rates and symptoms that differ across racial or ethnic women in depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. Seven systematic reviews and meta-analyses that examined racial/ethnic differences in depression and eating disorders were included. No review that examined racial/ethnic differences in anxiety or premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder met inclusion criteria. Methodological quality of the reviews, which was determined by the Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews criteria, revealed that the results of 5 reviews were rated as critically low confidence, one review was rated as low confidence, and one review was rated as high confidence. Findings were inconsistent across systematic reviews and meta-analyses because of the methodological differences in the original studies. Overall, racially or ethnically minoritized women generally report lower prevalence rates in depressive and eating disorders than the White women; however, they exhibit different or greater symptom presentation that could influence prevalence estimates depending on the diagnostic criteria followed. Methodological considerations are provided to strengthen the literature on racial or ethnic mental health disparities in women. (Fertil Steril((R)) 2023;119:364-74. (c) 2023 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)

Automated summary

Research suggests that racial and ethnic disparities in mental illness are significant in the United States. However, minoritized racial or ethnic groups tend to have lower prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders compared to White adults. The prevalence rates and symptoms of depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and premenstrual syndrome or premenstrual dysphoric disorder vary across racial or ethnic women. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown inconsistent findings, and the methodological quality of the reviews varied. Overall, racially or ethnically minoritized women report lower prevalence rates in depressive and eating disorders than White women, but they may exhibit different or greater symptom presentations, affecting prevalence estimates. Methodological considerations are provided to improve the literature on racial or ethnic mental health disparities in women. (Fertil Steril((R)) 2023;119:364-74. (c) 2023 by American Society for Reproductive Medicine.)