Factors influencing maternal mental health and family functioning during the low birthweight infant's first year of life.

The care of the low birthweight (LBW) infant poses a considerable challenge to the entire family, especially to the infant's mother, who is typically the primary caregiver. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of the infant's medical vulnerability and the psychosocial context of caregiving on the mental health of mothers who care for these infants and the functioning of their families. Results indicate that the degree to which an infant was unresponsive and the severity of the baby's physical health problems during the first year were associated with more mental health problems for the mother. Lack of infant responsiveness was also related to less cohesion and adaptability for the family as a whole. Family cohesion, presence of a partner, emotional support, and a mother's satisfaction with her family all contributed to her better mental health. In contrast, her life stress and the family's use of internally focused coping strategies contributed to worse mental health outcomes. Findings indicate the need for nursing interventions to support the mother and family in developing effective approaches to care for their LBW infant and for one another. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.