Prematurity: Influence on mother's locus of control

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to compare the beliefs of mothers of term infants with the beliefs of mothers of preterm infants in regards to their locus of control mainly influencing their personal health and well-being. Mother's beliefs regarding the level of internal (self), social external (other individuals) and fatalistic external control (e.g. chance, destiny, and religion) were assessed while mothers were admitted to hospital postnatally. Thirty-five mothers of preterm infants under 32 weeks of gestation, and 35 mothers of term infants (≥ 37 weeks of gestation) were included and participated within the first three days after delivery. Between the group of mothers of term infants and the group of mothers of preterm infants there was a significant difference in the level of fatalistic external control of health and disease they experienced. Mother's beliefs regarding internal and social external control did not differ between the two groups. When dealing with the mothers of preterm infants one should consider their strong beliefs that health and disease are largely dependent on fatalistic external factors. This might help to improve mother-child interaction and as a consequence also neurobehavioral development of the preterm infant.

The Relationships of Health Behaviour and Psychological Characteristics with Spontaneous Preterm Birth in Nulliparous Women

“…Women with lower health control beliefs were more than twice as likely to have a spontaneous preterm birth than those with higher health control beliefs. Some studies have previously shown a relationship between low maternal health control beliefs and preterm births (Ashford and Rayens 2013; Pichler-Stachl et al 2011), but these health control beliefs were measured after birth. There are no studies to our knowledge examining this relationship, where health control beliefs are measured before birth.…”

Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health and Collaborative Partnerships: Beyond the NICU

“…Despite inclusion of mental health services in the Affordable Care Act, availability of mental health providers for all ages is severely limited across the U.S. (Mental Health America, 2015). The paucity of providers and services is especially acute for families of infants and young children when the provider must be familiar with the mental health and developmental issues of the mother, infant, father, and overall family dynamics (Melnyk, Oswalt, & Sidora-Arcoleo, 2014;Pichler-Stachl, Pichler, Granmm, Zotter, Mueller, & Urlesbewrger, 2011;Weatherston, 2005). At times this lack of experienced providers may mean that parents are referred to inappropriate services, with providers who do not have the knowledge and skills needed to form a relationship that supports an intensive care unit graduate and her family.…”