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Psychological aspects of parenting critically ill neonates
M C McGettigan1, J S Greenspan, M J Antunes
1University of Vermont, Burlington.
Clinical Pediatrics
|February 1, 1994
Summary
Parents of ill neonates experience higher depression and distress levels than parents of healthy neonates, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Kellner Symptom Questionnaire (KSQ). These tools aid in understanding parental distress.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Health
- Parental Mental Health
- Psychological Assessment
Background:
- Parental mental health is crucial during neonatal care.
- Illness in neonates can significantly impact parental well-being.
- Objective assessment tools are needed to quantify parental distress.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare depression and distress levels in parents of ill versus healthy neonates.
- To evaluate the utility of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Kellner Symptom Questionnaire (KSQ) in this population.
- To identify parents requiring psychological support.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Kellner Symptom Questionnaire (KSQ) for parental assessment.
- Assessed infant morbidity using the Minde-Whitelaw Neonatal Morbidity Scale.
- Collected socioeconomic data via a dedicated questionnaire.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in BDI and KSQ scores were found between parents of ill and healthy neonates.
- Parents of ill neonates reported higher scores on depression and anxiety scales.
- Moderate to severe distress levels identified on both questionnaires led to counseling referrals.
Conclusions:
- The BDI and KSQ are effective tools for assessing distress in parents of neonates.
- Parental distress is significantly higher in families with ill neonates.
- Early identification and intervention for parental distress are essential.