Over half of pregnant women report anxiety symptoms and these symptoms may be precipitated by stressful experiences. Anxiety rates may be higher in Mexican-American women who experience socio-cultural stressors, such as acculturation, acculturative stress and discrimination. However, the role of such stressors on the trajectory of anxiety symptoms across pregnancy is not yet known. Mexican-American women (n = 151) completed surveys across pregnancy about acculturation, acculturative stress, perceived discrimination, and state anxiety. Multilevel modeling found that acculturation (Anglo orientation, b = 0.050, SE = 0.379, t (137.561) = 0.134, p = 0.894; Mexican orientation, b = 0.775, SE = 0.692, t (133.424) = 1.121, p = 0.264) and perceived discrimination (b = −1.259, SE = 0.921, t (137.489) = −1.367, p = 0.174) were not associated with the trajectory of anxiety symptoms. However, acculturative stress, even while controlling for perceived stress, was associated with high levels of anxiety symptoms that were elevated early in pregnancy (b = −0.045, SE = 0.022, t (135.749) = −2, p = 0.047). This work highlights the unique role of acculturative stress in risk for prenatal anxiety in early pregnancy.

Results suggests that the interplay between acculturative stress and salivary inflammation might indicate risk for anxiety in vulnerable populations. (PsycINFO Database Record

Terminal weaning of patients follows a standardized medical care protocol. However, the evidence found for optimal terminal weaning protocols may lack individualization for the patient and family. As nursing students in the critical care unit, we have designed a conceptual model that bridges the gap between cultural diversity and terminal weaning. This conceptual model integrates comfort, organization, rituals, and environment into the process of terminal weaning. The model assists nurses in all specialties, particularly critical care, to provide culturally appropriate end-of-life care for the patient and their family.