Parenting Expectations, NICU Experiences, and Maternal Psychological Outcomes: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study
Sarah M Rodrigues1, Sanghyuk S Shin, Melissa D Pinto
1Author Affiliations: Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, University of California, Irvine (Drs Rodrigues, Shin, Pinto, and Bounds); Department of Gender & Sexuality Studies, University of California, Irvine (Dr Terry); and School of Nursing, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Dr Burton).
Mothers hospitalized with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience distress when their actual experiences differ from their parenting expectations. Addressing these expectation-experience differences (EEDs) is crucial for maternal mental health post-NICU.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal mental health
- Maternal psychology
- Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) outcomes
Background:
- Infant hospitalization in the NICU significantly elevates maternal psychological distress.
- Predicting maternal risk is challenging due to a lack of universal screening standards.
- Examining differences between parenting expectations and NICU experiences can clarify maternal distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore parenting expectation-experience differences (EEDs) in mothers with infants in the NICU.
- To assess the correlation between EED scores and maternal psychological outcomes 1-5 years post-NICU hospitalization.
Main Methods:
- A 3-phase explanatory sequential mixed-methods design was employed.
- Pearson's correlation coefficients analyzed relationships between EED scores and maternal psychological outcomes.
- Reflexive thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews provided qualitative context for EED scores.
Main Results:
- Over 90% of mothers reported negative EEDs, signifying NICU experiences fell short of expectations.
- Significant inverse correlations were observed between EED scores and depression, anxiety, PTSD symptoms, and parenting self-efficacy.
- Qualitative themes included unexpectedness, lost parenting experiences, and survival and thriving, highlighting varied meanings of unmet expectations.
Conclusions:
- Preparing mothers for NICU hospitalization and enhancing NICU parenting support can mitigate EEDs.
- Interventions aimed at reducing the gap between expectations and experiences may improve maternal mental health.
- Further research is necessary to fully understand the impact of parenting EEDs in the NICU population.
More Related Videos
19:15Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
06:39Using 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
Related Concept Videos
Parenting Styles
Authoritarian Parenting
This style is strict and controlling, with little room for open dialogue. Authoritarian parents demand obedience and often enforce rules with minimal warmth. Children raised this way may lack social skills and initiative, usually comparing themselves to others unfavorably.
Authoritative...
The Nativist Approach
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Naturalistic Observations
Socioemotional Experience and Gender Development
