Symptoms of depression in parents after discharge from NICU associated with family-centred care

• AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine the potential association of family-centred care as perceived by parents during a NICU stay with parents' depressive symptoms at discharge and at 4 months corrected for infant age.DESIGN: A longitudinal, multicentre cohort study was conducted from 2018 to 2020 in 23 NICUs across 15 countries.METHODS: Parents (n = 635 mothers, n = 466, fathers) of infants (n = 739) born before 35 weeks of gestation and admitted to the participating NICUs were enrolled to the study during the first weeks of their infants' hospitalizations. They responded to Digi-FCC daily text messages inquiring about their perception of family-centred care provided by NICU staff. In addition, they completed a questionnaire assessing their overall perception of family-centred care at discharge. Parents' depressive symptoms were measured by the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale at discharge and again after discharge when their infants were at 4 months corrected for age.RESULTS: The mothers' and the fathers' perceptions of family-centred care were associated with their depressive symptoms at discharge and at 4 months corrected age, controlling for gestational age, multiple birth, parent education and relationship status. Parents' participation in infant care, care-related decisions and emotional support provided to parents by staff explained the variation in the parents' perceptions of family-centred care. The factors facilitating the implementation of family-centred care included unlimited access to the unit for the parents and for their significant others, as well as amenities for parents.CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that family-centred NICU care associates with parents' depressive symptoms after a NICU stay.IMPACT: Depression is common in parents of preterm infants. The provision of family-centred care may protect the mental well-being of parents of preterm infants.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

depression

family-centred care

health promotion

intensive care units

longitudinal study

neonatal parents

nursing

predictive research

preterm infant

prospective cohort

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)