J B Younger1, M J Kendell, R H Pickler. 1. Undergraduate Program, School of Nursing, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA. YOUNGER@GEMS.VCU.EDU
Abstract
PURPOSE: To explore the relationships among stress, social support, mastery, and depression. DESIGN: Descriptive correlational study. SETTING: 60-bed, Level 3 NICU in an urban medical center in a Mid-Atlantic state. PARTICIPANTS: 31 mothers who delivered infants born between 26 and 36 weeks gestation. Inclusion criteria included no maternal illness or complications requiring hospitalization beyond four days, and no report of a recent major stressful life event other than the birth of the child. MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURES: The Mastery of Stress Instrument, the Account of Social Resources Inventory, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. RESULTS: Social support was positively related to mastery and inversely related to depression. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers of preterm infants experienced significant levels of stress and depression in the early postpartum period.
PURPOSE: To explore the relationships among stress, social support, mastery, and depression. DESIGN: Descriptive correlational study. SETTING: 60-bed, Level 3 NICU in an urban medical center in a Mid-Atlantic state. PARTICIPANTS: 31 mothers who delivered infants born between 26 and 36 weeks gestation. Inclusion criteria included no maternal illness or complications requiring hospitalization beyond four days, and no report of a recent major stressful life event other than the birth of the child. MAJOR OUTCOME MEASURES: The Mastery of Stress Instrument, the Account of Social Resources Inventory, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale. RESULTS: Social support was positively related to mastery and inversely related to depression. CONCLUSIONS: Mothers of preterm infants experienced significant levels of stress and depression in the early postpartum period.