Journal
JOURNAL OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND BEHAVIORAL PEDIATRICS
Volume 36, Issue 5, Pages 362-370Publisher
LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS
DOI: 10.1097/DBP.0000000000000174
Keywords
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Funding
- National Institutes of Health [NR010009]
- Rush University Medical Center's Department of Adult Health and Gerontologic Nursing
- Rush University Medical Center's Department of Women, Children and Family Nursing
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Objective: To compare the trajectories and determine the predictors of maternal distress defined as a continuous spectrum of symptomatology and elevated symptomatology, of depression, anxiety, and perinatal-specific posttraumatic stress (PPTS), in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants throughout the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization. Method: Sixty-nine mothers completed psychological questionnaires within the first month of their infant's NICU hospitalization and again 2 weeks before NICU discharge. Multiple regression models determined maternal psychological, reproductive, sociodemographic, and infant medical predictors of maternal distress. Results: Perinatal-specific posttraumatic stress remained stable throughout the NICU hospitalization, whereas other aspects of distress declined. Previous psychological history and infant medical variables predicted higher PPTS but no other aspects of distress. Reproductive variables predicted anxiety and PPTS; history of fetal loss initially predicted lower PPTS but throughout hospitalization primipara status emerged as a predictor of higher anxiety and PPTS. Sociodemographic variables predicated initial, but not later, depressive distress. Conclusions: Psychological screening is important in the NICU. The PPTS profile suggests it may require distinct treatment. Primiparas should be targeted for intervention.
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