Factors Associated with Post-Traumatic Symptoms in Mothers of Preterm Infants

Hua-Pin Chang; Jia-Yuh Chen; Yen-Hsun Huang; Chih-Jung Yeh; Jing-Yang Huang; Pen-Hua Su; Vincent Chin-Hung Chen

doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2015.08.019

Factors Associated with Post-Traumatic Symptoms in Mothers of Preterm Infants

Arch Psychiatr Nurs. 2016 Feb;30(1):96-101. doi: 10.1016/j.apnu.2015.08.019. Epub 2015 Aug 28.

Authors

Hua-Pin Chang¹, Jia-Yuh Chen², Yen-Hsun Huang³, Chih-Jung Yeh⁴, Jing-Yang Huang⁵, Pen-Hua Su⁶, Vincent Chin-Hung Chen⁷

Affiliations

¹ Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
² Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pediatric, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
³ Department of Psychiatry, Taipei City Hospital, Zhong-Xing branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
⁴ School of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Center for Education and Research on Geriatrics and Gerontology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁵ Department of Public Health and Institute of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁶ Department of Critical Care Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pediatric, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
⁷ Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: hjcch@yahoo.com.tw.

PMID: 26804509
DOI: 10.1016/j.apnu.2015.08.019

Abstract

Objectives: Symptoms of post-traumatic distress in mothers of preterm infants have been a subject of mental health research. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with such symptoms in mothers of preterm infants in Taiwan.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study performed between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. One hundred and two mothers of preterm infants born at less than 37 weeks gestation and with a subsequent neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay between 2005 and 2009 were recruited. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the neuroticism subscale of the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI). The preterm infants' data were taken from medical records.

Results: The prevalence of symptoms of distress was 25.5% (26/102) in the participants. These symptoms were associated with previous miscarriages, preterm premature rupture of membranes, neurotic personality and depression.

Conclusions: The experience of preterm birth and NICU hospitalization can be traumatic to mothers. Early support for mothers during the preterm infants' NICU stay and transition to home care are recommended.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale / statistics & numerical data
Cross-Sectional Studies
Humans
Infant, Premature / psychology*
Mothers / psychology*
Mothers / statistics & numerical data
Risk Factors
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology*
Taiwan / epidemiology