Optimism as a mediator of the association between social support and peripartum depression among mothers of neonatal intensive care unit hospitalized preterm infants

Abstract

The birth of a preterm infant and the hospitalization in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) add extra functional and emotional demands to the typical transition to motherhood. Therefore, the prevalence of peripartum depression (PPD) among preterm mothers is especially high. As optimism was found to be a mediator of the association between social support and depression, the current study aimed to test this mediation in the population of NICU mothers. A sample of 128 Israeli mothers of 214 NICU hospitalized infants filled out self-report questionnaires regarding background variables, social support, optimism, and PPD symptoms. As hypothesized, optimism was found to partially mediate the association between social support and PPD symptoms among mother of preterm infants. The higher the perceived social support reported, the higher maternal optimism reported, and in turn, the lower PPD symptoms reported. In accordance with the Transactional Stress Theory, social support and optimism reflect maternal secondary appraisals that impact the way mothers of preterm infants cope with the challenging situation of a preterm birth and NICU hospitalization. Healthcare professionals should encourage preterm mothers' use of social support to increase optimism and reduce the risk of developing PPD.

Association of Received Intergenerational Support with Subjective Well-Being among Elderly: The Mediating Role of Optimism and Sex Differences

“…Taken together, the mediating effect of optimism on the association between received intergenerational support and subjective well-being has been identified in the present study. This is in line with previous literature that shows that optimism mediates the relationships between social support and related well-being outcomes [28,57]. One plausible explanation draws from the relational regulation theory proposed by Lakey and Orehek [58], which demonstrates the influencing mechanisms underlying the impact of social support on positive psychological well-being.…”

“…On the one hand, the results echo previous studies that show that intergenerational support is positively correlated with optimism. Although most of the previous studies proposed that individuals' optimism helps increase their social support [49][50][51], the emerging literature has proposed a converse causal relationship between social support and individuals' optimism [27,28]. For example, as suggested by Kestler-Peleg and Lavenda [28], optimism that reflects positive expectations of the future is derived from a positive appraisal of the individualenvironment interaction in the present or a strong belief that things are going to be better in the future.…”

“…Although most of the previous studies proposed that individuals' optimism helps increase their social support [49][50][51], the emerging literature has proposed a converse causal relationship between social support and individuals' optimism [27,28]. For example, as suggested by Kestler-Peleg and Lavenda [28], optimism that reflects positive expectations of the future is derived from a positive appraisal of the individualenvironment interaction in the present or a strong belief that things are going to be better in the future. To maintain such optimistic beliefs, people can draw on positive evaluations of the social context in which they are supported and can cope successfully with the challenges of life [52].…”

“…Thus, existing studies have examined the joint contribution of social support and optimism to health outcomes among a variety of other populations [25]. For example, studies found that optimism mediates the link between social support and well-being outcomes among the general adult population [26]; university student-athletes [27]; and preterm mothers [28]. However, whether this mediating effect is still valid among elderly populations remains unclear.…”