Anxiety and depression in mothers of newborns in intensive care units

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the classification and factors associated with anxiety and/or depression in mothers of newborns in a neonatal intensive care unit and elaborate the nursing process after psychological testing. Method: A study conducted with 91 mothers of newborns in intensive care of northeastern maternity, through a Beck anxiety and depression characterization and inventory form. Results: Majority with severe anxiety (93.4%) and moderate depression (50.5%). There was statistical significance between anxiety with planned pregnancy (p=0.022) and vaginal delivery route (p=0.028), as well as depression with abortion (p=0.027) and mechanical ventilation (p=0.017). Conclusion: Route of delivery, unpaid occupation, income, kangaroo method adhering, supplementation, schooling, planned pregnancy, gestational age of birth and newborn weight impact emotional instability. Social support stands out as a protective factor for symptoms of anxiety and depression.

Prevalence of anxiety, depression, and stress among parents of neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Fathers typically experienced fewer depressive symptoms (ES, 0.12; 95% CI, 0.03–0.22; I 2 =85.6%; P <0.00) than mothers (ES, 0.31; 95% CI, 0.24–0.38; I 2 =91.5%; P <0.001) whose newborns were in the NICU [ 6 , 8 , 14 , 17 - 19 , 35 , 37 , 39 - 41 , 43 ]. An overall subgroup analysis revealed that 28% of parents were depressed about NICU admissions (ES, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.21–0.35; I 2 =94.6%; P <0.001) ( Fig.…”

“…Three studies used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (ES, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.11–0.80; I 2 =98.6%; P <0.001) [ 28 - 30 , 44 ]. Two studies used Beck’s Anxiety Inventory scale (ES, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.04–1.25; I 2 =98.9%; P <0.001) [ 10 , 19 ]. Two studies used the Hamilton Anxiety Rating scale (ES, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.26-0.58; I 2 =90.7%; P <0.001 [ 14 , 35 ].…”

“…Among the 11 studies that assessed the prevalence of depression among parents of newborns in the NICU, 4 used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (ES, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18–0.52; I 2 =93.2%; P <0.001) [ 6 , 8 , 37 , 39 ], 3 used the Beck’s Depression Inventory scale (ES, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18–0.52; I 2 =93.8%; P <0.001) [ 14 , 19 , 35 ], 2 used the Centre for Epidemiologic Study Depression Scale (ES, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.28–0.52; I 2 =72.6%; P <0.001) [ 17 , 40 ], and 2 used the Depression, Anxiety and Strs Scale (ES, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.14– 0.25; I 2 =0.03%; P <0.001 ( Fig. 6 ) [ 18 , 43 ].…”

“…However, there was no significant correlation between neonatal sex and the psychological symptoms experienced by the parents of neonates admitted to the NICU [ 16 ]. Social support, family income, and parental education level were significantly negatively correlated with anxiety and depression among mothers of neonates in the NICU [ 19 ].…”

“…39) Among the included studies, 22 primary studies reported anxiety in the mother, 3 studies reported both fathers and mothers as participants, and one study reported anxiety in the father. 29,38) The pooled prevalence of anxiety was higher among mothers (effect size [ES], 95% CI, and heterogeneity [I 2 ] (ES, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.41-0.61; I 2 =97.1%; P<0.001) 7,[9][10][11]14,15,[18][19][20]24,[28][29][30][31][33][34][35]40,41,44) than fathers (ES, 0.26; 95% CI, 0.11-0.42; I 2 =96.6%; P<0.001) of NICU babies. 29,30,38,44) An overall subgroup analysis revealed that approximately 47% of parents were anxious about NICU admissions (ES, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.38-0.56; I 2 =97.1%; P<0.001) (Fig.…”