Annika Schmöker1,2, Renée Flacking2, Camilla Udo2,3,4, Mats Eriksson5, Lena Hellström-Westas1, Jenny Ericson2,3,6. 1. Department of Women's and Children's Health, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. 2. School of Education, Health and Social Studies, Dalarna University, Falun, Sweden. 3. Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Falun, Sweden. 4. The Department of Health Care Sciences, Ersta Sköndal University College, Stockholm, Sweden. 5. Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden. 6. Department of Paediatrics, County of Dalarna, Falun, Sweden.
Abstract
AIM: To compare experiences of stress in mothers and fathers of preterm infants during the first year of life, assess changes in parental stress and explore potential predictors of parental stress. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2015, data on parental stress were collected at 8 weeks after discharge and at 6 and 12 months postpartum from 493 mothers and 329 fathers of 547 preterm infants in Sweden. The Swedish Parenting Stress Questionnaire was used as a secondary outcome in a randomised clinical trial of breastfeeding support. RESULTS: At the three time points, mothers perceived more role restriction and fathers more social isolation (P < .001). Stress decreased in mothers during the first year (P = .018), whereas stress increased in fathers between 6 and 12 months (P = .048). Mothers of very preterm infants (P = .024), parents of twins (P = .038) and parents with lower perceived general health (P = .003) reported higher levels of stress during the first year after birth. CONCLUSION: This study identified several factors that influenced parental stress. Mothers and fathers showed different patterns of stress levels during the first year after birth. This finding indicates different needs for mothers and fathers regarding the time at which parental support after discharge might be most beneficial.
AIM: To compare experiences of stress in mothers and fathers of preterm infants during the first year of life, assess changes in parental stress and explore potential predictors of parental stress. METHODS: Between 2013 and 2015, data on parental stress were collected at 8 weeks after discharge and at 6 and 12 months postpartum from 493 mothers and 329 fathers of 547 preterm infants in Sweden. The Swedish Parenting Stress Questionnaire was used as a secondary outcome in a randomised clinical trial of breastfeeding support. RESULTS: At the three time points, mothers perceived more role restriction and fathers more social isolation (P < .001). Stress decreased in mothers during the first year (P = .018), whereas stress increased in fathers between 6 and 12 months (P = .048). Mothers of very preterm infants (P = .024), parents of twins (P = .038) and parents with lower perceived general health (P = .003) reported higher levels of stress during the first year after birth. CONCLUSION: This study identified several factors that influenced parental stress. Mothers and fathers showed different patterns of stress levels during the first year after birth. This finding indicates different needs for mothers and fathers regarding the time at which parental support after discharge might be most beneficial.
Authors: Erika Baraldi; Mara Westling Allodi; Ann-Charlotte Smedler; Björn Westrup; Kristina Löwing; Ulrika Ådén Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-12-13 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Francesca Agostini; Erica Neri; Federica Genova; Elena Trombini; Alessandra Provera; Augusto Biasini; Marcello Stella Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-08-02 Impact factor: 4.614