Longitudinal cohort study reveals different patterns of stress in parents of preterm infants during the first year after birth

• 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<0.001). Stress decreased in mothers during the first year (p=0.018), whereas stress increased in fathers between 6 and 12 months (p=0.048). Mothers of very preterm infants (p=0.024), parents of twins (p=0.038) and parents with lower perceived general health (p=0.003) 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.

Ämnesord

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

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

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Pediatrik (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Pediatrics (hsv//eng)

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

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

Nyckelord

Fathers

Mothers

Neonatal Intensive Care

Newborn Infants

Premature birth

Caring sciences

Omvårdnadsvetenskap

Parental stress during the first year and needs for support in parents whose infants have needed neonatal care

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)