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Published on: January 7, 2020
Depression, posttraumatic stress and relationship distress in parents of very preterm infants
Leanne Winter1,2, Paul B Colditz3,4, Matthew R Sanders5
1Faculty of Medicine, University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. l.winter@uq.edu.au.
Insights
High rates of depression and posttraumatic stress (PTS) affect parents of very preterm infants. Relationship distress exacerbates these mental health challenges, highlighting the need for integrated parental and couple support.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal Mental Health
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Outcomes
- Parental Well-being
Background:
- Very preterm (VPT) infants (<32 weeks) require intensive care, posing significant stress to parents.
- Maternal and paternal mental health are crucial for infant development and family functioning.
- Limited research addresses the interplay of depression, posttraumatic stress (PTS), and relationship distress in parents of VPT infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of depression, PTS symptoms, and relationship distress in mothers and fathers of VPT infants.
- To identify factors associated with these mental health and relationship challenges.
- To examine the relationships between depression, PTS symptoms, and relationship distress in this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study involving 323 mothers and 237 fathers of VPT infants.
- Data collected postpartum (38 days) via self-report measures of demographic and outcome variables.
- Statistical analyses to assess prevalence, associated factors, and interrelationships.
Main Results:
- High prevalence rates: 46.7% of mothers and 16.9% of fathers showed moderate to high depression likelihood.
- Significant PTS symptoms (38.1% mothers, 23.7% fathers) and relationship distress (25.1% mothers, 27% fathers) were reported.
- Depression and PTS were linked to financial stress, previous children, language barriers, and mental health service use. Relationship distress increased depression risk and was associated with PTS symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Parents of VPT infants experience substantial mental health burdens and relationship distress.
- Financial stress and social factors are significant contributors to parental mental health issues.
- Integrated postpartum support addressing parental mental health and couple relationship quality is essential for families with VPT infants.
Abstract:
To determine the prevalence, associated factors, and relationships between symptoms of depression, symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS), and relationship distress in mothers and fathers of very preterm (VPT) infants (< 32 weeks). Mothers (n = 323) and fathers (n = 237) completed self-report measures on demographic and outcome variables at 38 days (SD = 23.1, range 9-116) postpartum while their infants were still hospitalised. Of mothers, 46.7% had a moderate to high likelihood of depression, 38.1% had moderate to severe symptoms of PTS, and 25.1% were in higher than average relationship distress. The corresponding percentages in fathers were 16.9, 23.7, and 27%. Depression was positively associated with having previous children (p = 0.01), speaking little or no English at home (p = 0.01), financial stress (p = 0.03), and recently accessing mental health services (p = 0.003) for mothers, and financial stress (p = 0.005) and not being the primary income earner (p = 0.04) for fathers. Similar associations were found for symptoms of PTS and relationship distress. Being in higher relationship distress increased the risk of depression in both mothers (p < .001) and fathers (p = 0.03), and PTS symptoms in mothers (p = 0.001). For both mothers and fathers, depression was associated with more severe PTS symptoms (p < .001). Fathers of VPT infants should be screened for mental health problems alongside mothers, and postpartum parent support programs for VPT infants should include strategies to improve the couple relationship.
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