Early detection of parenting stress in mothers of preterm infants during their first-year home

Abstract

Background: Maternal stress following the birth of an infant is well acknowledged. It is particularly so when infants are born prematurely as their mothers cannot fully take on their parenting role until their infant(s) is discharged from neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). In this exploratory study, we examined whether these mothers' parenting stress would lessen during their first-year reunification with their infant(s) as they settle into motherhood at home. Methods: Two groups of mothers with infants born between 24-and 33-week gestational age were recruited. A group of 25 mothers were monitored at their infants' 1-month corrected age (CA) and a second group of 24 mothers were monitored at their infants' 12-month CA. Subjects completed the long form Parental Stress Index (PSI) ranking how stressful they perceive the individual subscales in the Child and Parent Domains of the selfreported questionnaire (PSI-3; Abidin; PAR Inc). The PSI theorizes that the stress mothers perceive is a resultant of their respective characteristics, interactions with their infant(s), family, and environment. Statistical analyses include descriptive statistics, χ 2 square analysis, and independent t-test. Results: There was no significant difference in the levels of perceived stress in the PSI subscales between the two groups of mothers at 1-and 12-month CA. Scores for the majority of respondents fell within the 15th to 80th percentile (% ile) distribution of Abidin's normative population, with some mothers falling below the 15th % ile. Discussion/conclusion: The data collected suggest that: 1. the perceived stress experienced by mothers during their first-year reunited with their preterm infants is within the normal range observed in Abidin's normative population. 2. As the PSI is a self-reported survey, care providers need to be aware that some mothers may downplay their stress responses. 3. With the ability to monitor individual participants, the PSI can be readily offered to mothers at their infants' first year routine clinical visits to assist in the early identification of parenting issues that may threaten the development of a healthy mother-infant dyad. Early appropriate guidance and social support would help "at-risk" mothers develop more constructive parenting routines.

Evaluation of parental stress in neonatal intensive care unit in Iran: a national study

“…One of the ways to support the parents and reduce their stress is family-centered care; nurses have a key role in providing it successfully [ 5 ]. Parental support promotes proper parent–child interaction and improves the attachment process [ 6 ].…”

Music therapy modulates mothers’ perception of their preterm infants

“…Therefore, it is important to identify therapeutic interventions aimed at alleviating possible stress symptoms in the infants ( Kobus et al, 2021a ) and their mothers, thereby promoting a positive mother–child relationship ( Benzies et al, 2013 ). Research has shown that targeted interventions such as music therapy can help and support mothers of preterm infants to establish positive parenting routines that are beneficial for themselves and their babies ( Lau et al, 2020 ). Music therapy is an individualized and family-integrated therapy approach ( Haslbeck and Bassler, 2020 ), offering various benefits for preterm infants and their parents ( Ettenberger et al, 2016 ).…”

Mediational models of maternal stress in neonatal intensive care units

“…With the sustained increase in the survival of preterm infants over the last three decades, parental stress following the birth of a child is undeniable. This is evidenced by the extensive research literature in this domain be they in reviews or studies focused on particular infant’s characteristics, parental distress, e.g., depression, anxiety, or imbalanced family situations ( 10 – 27 ). Of interest, studies have shown how such parental stress responses may be associated with a particular condition observed in their infant(s).…”

“…At present, studies on maternal stress in NICU have focused primarily on alleviating recognized psychological issues such as depression, anxiety ( 17 , 27 , 45 , 47 , 48 ). However, as interactions between multiple stressors may further impact behaviors and maternal mental health, our understanding of the “overall” stress experienced by mothers and the current support we offer is incomplete.…”