Relationships of Parent-Infant Contacts and Postpartum Depressive Symptoms in Mothers of Preterm Infants in the NICU: A Mixed Methods Approach
Year: 2015
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Background: Postpartum depressive symptoms in mothers of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are a health crisis for mothers and infants. Mothers are at risk for mental suffering and infants are at risk for negative developmental outcomes.\nResearch Purpose: To investigate the relationship between a NICU mother’s postpartum depressive symptoms and NICU parent – infant contact. Design: Mixed- methods, sequential, explanatory design Methods: Convenience sample of 26 mothers of preterm NICU infants 28 – 32 6/7 weeks gestation participated. Maternal postpartum depressive symptoms were measured using the Postpartum Depression Screening Scale (PDSS). The PDSS was administered at 14 (PDSS_14) and 28 (PDSS_28) postnatal days of life. Parent – infant contact was recorded. A qualitative interview was conducted with the mother on day of life 28. Descriptive analysis was used for demographic and contact data; correlation analysis was used for maternal demographic and characteristics data, parental – infant contact data, maternal data with PDSS data and parental contact data with PDSS data; content analysis was used for qualitative interviews.\nResults: The majority of mothers: 25-39 years old, married, Caucasian, educated; mean infant gestational age: 30.6 weeks. Seventy percent of mothers had elevated PDSS_14 scores and 60% of mothers had elevated PDSS_28 scores. High Cronbach alpha reliabilities existed for all PDSS dimensions. There were significant correlations between: maternal demographics and PDSS subscales, maternal - infant and paternal - infant contact, and between parent – infant contact and PDSS subscale and total scores. Content analysis revealed six themes: the all important mother-infant connection, under the maternal watchful eye, NICU staff: make or break a mother’s experience, the cycle of mental and physical exertion and recovery, somebody to lean on, and a place of unending stimuli.\nDiscussion: NICU mothers are suffering from elevated postpartum depressive symptoms. Maternal – paternal – infant contact relationships indicate high potential for decreasing PDD symptoms. Addressing the results from the qualitative thematic analysis could be highly beneficial for NICU mothers.\nConclusion: NICU maternal postpartum depressive symptoms need to be addressed and parental – infant contacts need to be encouraged.\n Keywords: postpartum depression, preterm, NICU, mother, father, infant, contact, postpartum depression screening scale, PDSS
Author: Victoria Vazquez
Institution: University of Connecticut
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2294924417