Tara Wyatt1, Karina M Shreffler1, Lucia Ciciolla2. 1. a Human Development and Family Science , Oklahoma State University , Tulsa , OK , USA. 2. b Department of Psychology , Oklahoma State University , Stillwater , OK , USA.
Abstract
Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of newborns' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admittance on maternal postpartum depression. Background: Prior research on the parental psychological impacts of a NICU admittance typically includes a hospital sample of parents following birth, so the causality of NICU admittance and maternal depressive symptomatology is unclear. Methods: 127 women across 38 counties in a South Central US state participated in online surveys in their third trimester and approximately six weeks post-birth in 2016. Pre- and post-birth assessments of depression were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). NICU admittance was asked in the post-birth survey. t-Tests and multivariable regression analyses were used to determine predictors of NICU admittance and postnatal depressive symptomatology. Results: Findings indicate that prenatal depression does not differ significantly between mothers by NICU admission status, but NICU admission is a significant predictor of postpartum depressive symptomatology. Conclusions: Having a newborn admitted to the NICU is a risk factor for maternal postpartum depression. These findings have implications for practice; screening mothers in the NICU for depression as a target for intervention has the potential to improve maternal well-being, which in turn should enhance subsequent infant developmental outcomes.
Objective: This study aimed to examine the impact of newborns' Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) admittance on maternal postpartum depression. Background: Prior research on the parental psychological impacts of a NICU admittance typically includes a hospital sample of parents following birth, so the causality of NICU admittance and maternal depressive symptomatology is unclear. Methods: 127 women across 38 counties in a South Central US state participated in online surveys in their third trimester and approximately six weeks post-birth in 2016. Pre- and post-birth assessments of depression were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). NICU admittance was asked in the post-birth survey. t-Tests and multivariable regression analyses were used to determine predictors of NICU admittance and postnatal depressive symptomatology. Results: Findings indicate that prenatal depression does not differ significantly between mothers by NICU admission status, but NICU admission is a significant predictor of postpartum depressive symptomatology. Conclusions: Having a newborn admitted to the NICU is a risk factor for maternal postpartum depression. These findings have implications for practice; screening mothers in the NICU for depression as a target for intervention has the potential to improve maternal well-being, which in turn should enhance subsequent infant developmental outcomes.
Authors: Riikka Korja; Elina Savonlahti; Leena Haataja; Helena Lapinleimu; Hanna Manninen; Jorma Piha; Liisa Lehtonen Journal: Infant Behav Dev Date: 2009-05-14
Authors: Marina S Oren; Whittney D Barkhuff; Andrei Stefanescu; Beatrice M Stefanescu; Tara L DuPont Journal: J Perinatol Date: 2020-09-22 Impact factor: 2.521
Authors: Snehal Murthy; Laurel Haeusslein; Stephen Bent; Elizabeth Fitelson; Linda S Franck; Christina Mangurian Journal: J Perinatol Date: 2021-03-10 Impact factor: 2.521