Longitudinal cohort study reveals different patterns of stress in parents of preterm infants during the first year

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 30, 2025

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
06:39

Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants

Published on: June 13, 2021

3.4K

Annika Schmöker1,2, Renée Flacking2, Camilla Udo2,3,4

  • 1Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|January 25, 2020
PubMed

Insights

Parental stress in the first year after preterm birth differs between mothers and fathers. Mothers experienced decreasing stress, while fathers

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Parental mental health
  • Psychosocial outcomes

Background:

  • Parental stress is a significant concern for families with preterm infants.
  • Understanding gender-specific stress trajectories is crucial for effective support.
  • The transition to parenthood with a preterm infant presents unique challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare maternal and paternal stress experiences during the first year of life for preterm infants.
  • To assess changes in parental stress over time.
  • To identify predictors of parental stress in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Longitudinal study collecting parental stress data at 8 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months postpartum.
  • Inclusion of 493 mothers and 329 fathers of 547 preterm infants in Sweden.
  • Utilized the Swedish Parenting Stress Questionnaire as a secondary outcome in a randomized clinical trial.

Main Results:

  • Mothers reported higher role restriction, fathers higher social isolation.
  • Maternal stress decreased over the first year; paternal stress increased between 6 and 12 months.
  • Higher stress levels were associated with very preterm infants, twins, and lower parental general health.

Conclusions:

  • Mothers and fathers exhibit distinct patterns of stress development post-preterm birth.
  • These differing stress trajectories suggest tailored support strategies are needed.
  • Timing of postnatal support may need to be individualized based on parental gender and specific infant characteristics.
Abstract

Keywords:
fathersmothersneonatal intensive carenewborn infantspremature birth

More Related Videos

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

13.3K
Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges08:22

Measuring Cardiac Autonomic Nervous System ANS Activity in Toddlers - Resting and Developmental Challenges

Published on: February 25, 2016

15.8K

Related Concept Videos

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
460
Longitudinal Research02:20

Longitudinal Research

Sometimes we want to see how people change over time, as in studies of human development and lifespan. When we test the same group of individuals repeatedly over an extended period of time, we are conducting longitudinal research. Longitudinal research is a research design in which data-gathering is administered repeatedly over an extended period of time. For example, we may survey a group of individuals about their dietary habits at age 20, retest them a decade later at age 30, and then again...
13.0K
Longitudinal Studies01:26

Longitudinal Studies

Longitudinal studies are also widely used in other medical and social science fields. For instance, in cardiovascular research, they can monitor patients' health over decades to identify risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol or smoking, and evaluate the long-term effectiveness of preventive measures. Similarly, in mental health studies, researchers might follow individuals from adolescence into adulthood to understand the development and progression of conditions like...
421
Physiological Foundation of Stress01:24

Physiological Foundation of Stress

Stress triggers a coordinated physiological response involving the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. This dual activation ensures that the body is prepared for both immediate and prolonged stress management. The process begins with the perception of a stressor. This initial phase activates the SNS, leading to the rapid release of adrenaline (epinephrine) from the adrenal glands.
Role of the Sympathetic Nervous System
Adrenaline triggers the...
465
Socioemotional Development during Infancy01:30

Socioemotional Development during Infancy

Socio-emotional development in infancy is primarily shaped by early emotional responses and social connections, with temperament playing a central role. Temperament refers to the consistent patterns in an individual's emotional and behavioral responses, observable even in infancy. By examining temperament, researchers can better understand an infant's unique ways of interacting with the world, influencing subsequent personality and socio-emotional growth.
Primary Temperament Types
356
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
434