Infant Mental Health and Family Mental Health Issues

Fabbro, Anilla Del; Cain, Kimothi

doi:10.1053/j.nainr.2016.09.020

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 25 publications

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“…The estimated global premature birth rate for 2014 was 10.6%, equating to an estimate of 14.84 million live premature births. The complexities of premature birth occur at a period in time where mothers and infants are expected to bond and form an attachment [15,16]. Winnicott described the maternal psychological state of late pregnancy and the early post birth period under the term primary maternal preoccupation.…”

Section: Motherpreterm Infant Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The experiences of mothers with preterm infants within the first-year post discharge from NICU: social support, attachment and level of depressive symptoms

Leahy‐Warren

Coleman

Bradley

et al. 2020

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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Background The estimated global premature birth rate for 2014 was 10.6%, equating to an estimate of 14.84 million live premature births. The experience of premature birth does not impact solely on the infant and mother as individuals but occurs in the context of a critical point in time when they are developing a relationship with one another. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between social support, mother to infant attachment, and depressive symptoms of mothers with preterm infants within the first 12 months’ post discharge from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Methods A correlational cross-sectional study design was used. Data were collected using a four-part online survey which included the Perinatal Social Support Questionnaire (PICSS), Maternal Postnatal Attachment Scale (MPAS) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) with mothers of preterm infants (n = 140). Results The prevalence of postnatal depression was 37.9% (95% CI: 29.8 to 46.4%). In univariable analyses, history of depression (p = 0.005), aged 35–39 years (p = 0.006), no formal social support (p = 0.040), less informal social supports (p = 0.018), lower overall maternal attachment (p < 0.001) and lower overall functional social support (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with a higher level of depressive symptoms. Lower scores on two of the maternal attachment subscales (quality of attachment and absence of hostility) and all four of the functional social support subscales were significantly associated with a higher level of depressive symptoms (p < 0.001 for all). In the multivariable analysis, prior history of depression (p = 0.028), lower score of maternal attachment (p < 0.001) and lower emotional functional social support (p = 0.030) were significantly associated with a higher level of depressive symptoms. Conclusion Women who experience a premature birth, have a prior history of depression, poor infant attachment and poor emotional social support have a higher level of depressive symptoms. Results emphasise the need for professionals to encourage mobilisation of maternal formal and informal social supports. It is important to intervene early to address maternal emotional well-being and enhance the developing mother-preterm infant relationship.

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Section: Motherpreterm Infant Attachmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

The experiences of mothers with preterm infants within the first-year post discharge from NICU: social support, attachment and level of depressive symptoms

Leahy‐Warren

Coleman

Bradley

et al. 2020

BMC Pregnancy Childbirth

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“…The NICU environment significantly impacts families [ 4 ] and mothers, in particular, who often assume the role of the primary caregiver [ 5 ]. Nearly 7% of births in the U.S. result in infants who require some degree of care in the NICU [ 6 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nearly 7% of births in the U.S. result in infants who require some degree of care in the NICU [ 6 ]. Anxiety, depression and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are common amongst parents with medically fragile infants in the NICU [ 4 ]. Holditch et al [ 7 ] reported that 15% of mothers and 8% of fathers with premature infants admitted to the NICU experience postpartum PTSD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Holditch et al [ 7 ] reported that 15% of mothers and 8% of fathers with premature infants admitted to the NICU experience postpartum PTSD. Additionally, between 39–63% of mothers with NICU infants experience post-partum depression (PPD) [ 4 , 8 ] compared to a PPD prevalence rate of 13–19% in their counterparts who do not have a baby in the NICU [ 9 , 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Environmental Stressors and Supports

Williams

Patel

Stausmire

et al. 2018

IJERPH

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The relationship between maternal mental health and infant development has been established in the literature. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a particularly challenging environment for new mothers as several natural processes are disrupted. The objective of this study is to elucidate protective factors and environmental deficits associated with the NICU. The experiences of forty-six (n = 46) mothers of infants admitted to a Level III NICU in the Midwestern United States, who responded to a related open-ended question, were analyzed thematically. Five themes related to the NICU environment emerged as being either stressful or helpful: (1) amount and quality of communication with medical staff, (2) bedside manner of medical staff, (3) feeling alienated from infant’s care, (4) support from other NICU mothers and families, and (5) NICU Physical Environment and Regulations. There is a need for medical staff training on awareness, communication, empathy, and other behaviors that might improve maternal (and parental) experiences in the NICU. The physical environment, including rules and regulations of the NICU, should be reexamined with family comfort in mind in addition to the clinical care of the infant.

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“…The birth of a critically ill baby creates intense distress and anxiety for mothers who are the primary caregivers. 7,8 This is exacerbated when their babies are transferred to other NICU for specialised treatment. 9,10 Whyte and Jefferies 11 wrote that the NICU environment, the transfer process and the clinical pre-hospital environment can be a frightening, confusing and difficult experience for family members.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The forgotten needs of mothers during neonatal transfers: A quest for greater sensitivity

Ashokcoomar¹,

Bhagwan

2020

South African Family Practice

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Background: The transfer of critically ill neonates has escalated in developing countries. This calls for greater awareness of the needs of mothers who are often overlooked while clinical attention is prioritised in relation to the neonate. The objective of the study was to understand the emotional and clinical needs of mothers during the transfer process.Methods: Using a qualitative research approach, the study sought the views of mothers who were involved in emergency transfers. In-depth interviews were held with seven mothers. In addition, data from interviews with seven neonatologists and data from focus group discussions with 35 advanced life paramedics, were included.Results: What emerged was that both the clinical and emotional needs of mothers were overlooked during the transfer which resulted in acute distress. Moreover, the study found that paramedics lacked preparedness to deal with the psychological needs of mothers and often overlooked their physiological condition as well.Conclusion: It is crucial that greater sensitivity towards both the clinical and emotional needs of mothers be prioritised during neonatal transfers.

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Infant Mental Health and Family Mental Health Issues

Cited by 18 publications

References 25 publications

The experiences of mothers with preterm infants within the first-year post discharge from NICU: social support, attachment and level of depressive symptoms

The experiences of mothers with preterm infants within the first-year post discharge from NICU: social support, attachment and level of depressive symptoms

The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Environmental Stressors and Supports

The forgotten needs of mothers during neonatal transfers: A quest for greater sensitivity

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