Prevalence of mental health problems in mothers of preterm infants admitted to NICU: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Objective To study the prevalence of mental health problems among mothers of preterm infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods In this cross‐sectional two‐arm study, 130 mothers in each group, with either term infants not in NICU or preterm infants admitted to NICU, underwent mental health assessment using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale, Centre for Epidemiologic Studies—Depression Scale, Stanford Acute Stress Reaction Questionnaire and Modified Parental Stress Scale—NICU. Their coping styles and quality of life were also assessed. Data were analyzed using SPSS IBM 25.0. Results Anxiety (66.2% versus 46.9%) and depression (45.4% versus 23.1%) were more common among NICU mothers. Regarding subdomains of acute stress reaction, a higher number of NICU mothers showed symptoms of anxiety, re‐experience and functional impairment. For mothers with infants in NICU, sight, sound, and parental role alterations were stressful. They had reduced quality of life scores in domains of physical health, psychological health, and social relationships. Also, a higher number of these mothers exhibited problem‐solving and emotion‐focused coping. Conclusion Preterm birth with NICU admission of the infant is more stressful for a mother than the term birth of a healthy neonate. It affects her mental health and quality of life. Both the obstetrician and the pediatrician should be mindful of this.

Parent and Therapist Perceptions of the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Benefits of a Weekly Therapist-Led Massage Program for Extremely Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care

“…An important aspect of our findings is the marked difference in described maternal emotions elicited by the NICU environment as compared to participation in the TEMPO program. Maternal descriptions of emotions provoked in the NICU environment included uncertainty, fear, anxiety, and loss of control, which are well aligned with previous findings from both qualitative [ 23 , 25 ] and quantitative [ 24 , 26 ] studies examining parent perceptions of the NICU. In contrast, parents described the therapists implementing TEMPO as supportive and caring, and they used phrases like “reassured” and “felt comfortable” to express their emotions during TEMPO activities.…”

Application of the Adverse Childhood Experiences Framework to the NICU

“…In addition, considering parental stress during the NICU experience is vital. Parents of preterm and sick infants are more likely to experience mood swings and depression than parents of well full-term infants 3. Parents come to the new relationship with their infant processing beliefs related to their own earlier histories, which may include loss, current, and/or past trauma.…”

“…Parents of preterm and sick infants are more likely to experience mood swings and depression than parents of well full-term infants. 3 Parents come to the new relationship with their infant processing beliefs related to their own earlier histories, which may include loss, current, and/or past trauma. Inadequate resources, addiction, teen parenthood, mental illness, recent displacement or migration, homelessness, or other social or psychological factors have the potential to complicate formation of a healthy nurturing relationship.…”

“…2 It is now widely accepted that NICU hospitalization is associated with an increased risk for infant stress and poor parental mental health. 3,4 As evidence continues to emerge supporting the short-and long-term associations between NICU hospitalization and risks for poorer infant and family outcomes, previous frameworks of stress and early life trauma are inadequate or underused. There is a need to fully explicate the complex interactions of generational stress, pain, toxic stress, parental separation, and lifelong health and development for premature and critically ill infants and their families requiring hospital care.…”

“…Infants and families requiring care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often experience significant stress and trauma during the early days and months of the infant's life, despite the advancements in NICU care 2. It is now widely accepted that NICU hospitalization is associated with an increased risk for infant stress and poor parental mental health 3,4. As evidence continues to emerge supporting the short- and long-term associations between NICU hospitalization and risks for poorer infant and family outcomes, previous frameworks of stress and early life trauma are inadequate or underused.…”