Psychological aspects of parenting critically ill neonates
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M C McGettigan1, J S Greenspan, M J Antunes
1University of Vermont, Burlington.
Insights
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.
Abstract:
This study was designed to objectively examine depression and distress levels in parents of ill versus parents of healthy neonates by utilizing two well-validated questionnaires, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and Kellner Symptom Questionnaire (KSQ). In addition, morbidity of infants was assessed by the Minde-Whitelaw Neonatal Morbidity Scale, and parents completed a socioeconomic questionnaire. Analysis of mean BDI and KSQ scores revealed significant differences between parents of ill neonates and parents of healthy neonates in BDI, total KSQ scores, KSQ anxiety, and depression scale scores. Within these groups, respondents whose scores fell into moderate to severe ranges of distress on either questionnaire were referred for counseling. The BDI and KSQ can be tools for better understanding about distress levels in parents of ill and healthy neonates.