The role of sociodemographic factors in maternal psychological distress and mother‐preterm infant interactions

Abstract

Preterm birth has been associated with greater psychological distress and less positive mother infant interactions than were experienced by mothers of full-term infants. Maternal and infant sociodemographic factors have also shown a strong association with psychological distress and the mother-infant relationship. However, findings on their effects over time are limited. In this longitudinal analysis, we explored the relationship of maternal and infant sociodemographic variables (maternal age, maternal education, marital status, being on social assistance, maternal race, infant birth weight, and infant gender) to maternal psychological distress (depressive, posttraumatic stress, anxiety, parenting stress symptoms, and maternal worry about child’s health) through 12 months corrected age for prematurity, and on the home environment, and mother-infant interactions through 6 months corrected age for prematurity. We also explored differences related to maternal obstetrical characteristics (gestational age at birth, parity, mode of delivery, and multiple birth) and severity of infant conditions (Apgar scores, need for mechanical ventilation, and infant medical complications). Although the relationship of maternal and infant characteristics with these outcomes did not change over time, psychological distress differed based on marital status, maternal education, infant gender, and infant medical complications. Older mothers provided more a positive home environment. Mother-infant interactions differed by maternal age, being on public assistance, maternal race, infant gender, and infant medical complications. More longitudinal research is needed to better understand these effects over time in order to identify and support at-risk mothers.

Does Birth-Related Trauma Last? Prevalence and Risk Factors for Posttraumatic Stress in Mothers and Fathers of VLBW Preterm and Term Born Children 5 Years After Birth

“…Evidence on parity is mixed; a meta-analysis found a significant small, positive effect of parity on postpartum maternal PTSD (22). Other studies did not report such an association for mothers (15,31). Interestingly, having previous children was found to be associated with less PTSS in fathers of very-preterm infants ∼1-2 months postpartum (31).…”

El acompañamiento como método para reducir la ansiedad en embarazadas ingresadas en el tercer trimestre

“…Para prevenir o disminuir los niveles de la ansiedad, el mejor arma es el acompañamiento (9) . Se cree que la ansiedad puede ser producto de una baja autoestima, con lo que el acompañamiento puede aportar una mejora de la salud mental en la futura madre, incrementando la confianza y seguridad en sí misma, además de ayudar a mantener la salud en el postparto (9) y construir un fuerte vínculo con la persona que ejerce ese soporte, especialmente si es aportado por la pareja (10) .…”

Risk Factors for Parenting Stress in Parents of Children Treated with Laser Surgery for Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome 2 Years Postpartum

“…However, perinatal medical complications may be a risk factor for higher levels of parenting stress in parents of multiples such as outcomes seen in the premature population. 6,7,24 Given the small sample size, there was limited power to detect an effect; therefore, the findings may underestimate the extent of parenting stress. Furthermore, the significant correlation between mother's education and marital status may have suppressed the true effects of marital status on the outcomes.…”

“…Increasing our knowledge of at-risk populations for increased stress is critical, as we know from the previous literature that increased maternal stress can lead to challenges in regard to the parent-child relationship and, ultimately, negatively impact the child's developmental potential. [21][22][23][24] This study holds clinical relevance for practitioners caring for these children and families postpartum. Some of the families of children with TTTS may be followed by a medical team, such as if the children were born premature, had persistent medical complications following delivery, or were enrolled in a pediatric medical home for children with complex medical needs.…”