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Mothers and fathers in NICU: The impact of preterm birth on parental distress
Open accessAbstract
Preterm birth is a stressful event for families. In particular, the unexpectedly early delivery may cause negative feelings in mothers and fathers. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between preterm birth, parental stress and negative feelings, and the environmental setting of NICU. 21 mothers (age = 36.00 ± 6.85) and 19 fathers (age = 34.92 ± 4.58) of preterm infants (GA = 30.96 ± 2.97) and 20 mothers (age = 40.08 ± 4.76) and 20 fathers (age = 40.32 ± 6.77) of full-term infants (GA = 39.19 ± 1.42) were involved. All parents filled out the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Impact of Event Scale Revised, Profile of Mood States, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Post-Partum Bonding Questionnaire. Our data showed differences in emotional reactions between preterm and full-term parents. Results also revealed significant differences between mothers and fathers' responses to preterm birth in terms of stress, negative feelings, and perceptions of social support. A correlation between negative conditions at birth (e.g., birth weight and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit stay) and higher scores in some scales of Impact of Event Scale Revised, Profile of Mood States and Post-Partum Bonding Questionnaire were found. Neonatal Intensive Care Unit may be a stressful place both for mothers and fathers. It might be useful to plan, as soon as possible, interventions to help parents through the experience of the premature birth of their child and to begin an immediately adaptive mode of care.
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“Since mothers often spend more time in the NICU and experience immediate trauma, maternal postpartum depression is a strong predictor of paternal anxiety and depression [59].”
From Fathers at risk: Effects of threatened and actual preterm birth on the course of paternal peripartum depression and anxiety (2026) · cites this paper as [59]
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Items 101–200 of 348
Parent-Preterm Infant Interaction
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“Preparing, and then caring, for a preterm baby is demanding and inevitably places any mother at increased risk of anxiety and stress [23].”
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Baumgartel, K. L., & Facco, F. (2018) · Nursing for Women s Health · doi:10.1016/j.nwh.2018.05.003 · Cited by 14
“Preterm birth is often an unexpected and traumatic event and is associated with negative feelings including anger and distress (Ionio et al., 2016).”
BackgroundGath, M. E., Lee, S. J., Austin, N. C., & Woodward, L. J. (2022) · Children · doi:10.3390/children9030304 · Cited by 11
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BackgroundPERCEPÇÕES DE MÃES NUTRIZES AO VIVENCIAREM A PREMATURIDADE NA UNIDADE DE TERAPIA INTENSIVA NEONATAL
Martins, M. C., Boeckmann, L. M. M., Melo, M. C., de Moura, A. S., de Morais, R. D. C. M., Mazoni, S. R., & Griboski, R. A. (2022) · Cogitare Enfermagem · doi:10.5380/ce.v27i0.80125 · Cited by 15
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Hamon, E., Bourdin, B., & Driant, B. L. (2023) · Frontiers in Psychology · doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1114418 · Cited by 12
“Parents’ experience of prematurity reveals that fathers and mothers react differently (Ionio et al., 2016): fathers are highly sensitive to the severity of prematurity, as severe cases tend to trigger PTSD symptoms (Gamba Szijarto et al.”
BackgroundLi, X., Lin, Y. L., Huang, L., Lin, H., Xiao, C., Li, S., Hu, R., & Liao, J. (2024) · Intensive and Critical Care Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2024.103697 · Cited by 12
Preterm delivery in Ghana: challenges and implications for maternal mental health trajectories
Kumador, D. K., Alberta, O.-M., Tackie-Ofosu, V., Mahama, S., Owusu-Bempah, J., & Tutu, C. O. (2025) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0317147 · Cited by 12
“Mothers of preterm infants in Ghana often experience intense stress due to uncertain medical outcomes, prolonged hospitalizations, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure [20].”
Parenting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study
Yıldız, G. K., & Beşirik, S. A. (2025) · Child Care Health and Development · doi:10.1111/cch.70089 · Cited by 17
“The literature similarly highlights that the separation due to preterm birth and the subsequent monitoring in the NICU negatively impact bonding, leading to an emotional crisis and negative feelings in mothers unprepared for this situation (Ionio et al. 2016; Jiménez-Palomares et al. 2021).”
Needs of Socioeconomically Diverse Fathers of Premature Hospitalized Infants
Merritt, L., & Spencer, B. S. (2020) · Advances in Neonatal Care · doi:10.1097/anc.0000000000000767 · Cited by 12
“Predictors of Fathers’ Needs Neither language version of the tool preferred by father, father’s age, number of children, infant’s gestational age group, hospital type, and level of income or education was a significant predictor of the NFNI subscales of assurance (F (8,77) = 1.”
BackgroundYahya, N. F. S., Teng, N. I. M. F., Das, S., & Juliana, N. (2020) · Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2020.09.005 · Cited by 12
Parental protective factors and stress in NICU mothers and fathers
Ivashchuk, A., Guillén, Ú., Mackley, A. B., Locke, R. G., & Sturtz, W. J. (2020) · Journal of Perinatology · doi:10.1038/s41372-020-00908-4 · Cited by 13
“Most report that mothers experience more stress than fathers [2, 7, 10], others found that fathers experience more stress [15], and some show that there is no difference in maternal and paternal stress [8, 16].”
BackgroundDür, M., Brückner, V., Oberleitner-Leeb, C., Fuiko, R., Matter, B., & Berger, A. (2018) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0202189 · Cited by 11
Masri, S., Charafeddine, L., Tamim, H., Naamani, M., Taleb, J., & Dirani, L. A. (2019) · Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings · doi:10.1007/s10880-019-09643-1 · Cited by 13
“Parents of infants admitted to the NICU are more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, acute stress, and post-traumatic stress disorder (Alkozei, McMahon, & Lahav, 2014; Carter, Mulder, Frampton, & Darlow, 2007; Feeley et al., 2011; Forcada-Guex, Borghini, Pierrehumbert, Ansermet, & Muller-Nix, 2011; Hawes, McGow…”
Mothers and fathers facing their children’s phenylketonuria
Ionio, C., Salvatici, E., Confalonieri, E., Milani, L., Mascheroni, E., Riva, E., & Giovannini, M. (2016) · Children s Health Care · doi:10.1080/02739615.2016.1275643 · Cited by 11
“, 2005, 2008) have shown how chronic illness of children is often a stressful event for parents that could cause in mothers and fathers negative states of mind and feelings, stress, and trauma-related symptoms (Barakat et al., 1997; Ionio et al., 2016; Ionio & Mascheroni, 2014; Lord et al., 2005).”
BackgroundSelf-citationConcern for mortality in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU): parent and physician perspectives
Boulais, J., Vente, T. M., Daley, M., Ramesh, S., McGuirl, J., & Arzuaga, B. (2018) · Journal of Perinatology · doi:10.1038/s41372-018-0076-0 · Cited by 11
Younesian, S., Eivers, A. R., Shahaeian, A., Sullivan, K. A., & Gilmore, L. (2020) · Journal of Child Language · doi:10.1017/s0305000920000148 · Cited by 14
Mother’s mental health and the interaction with her moderate preterm baby in the NICU
Mira, A., Coo, S., & Rodolfo Bastías, L. (2022) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646838.2022.2077921 · Cited by 12
“Also, high symptoms of depression were positively associated with higher levels of stress in the ‘Appearance and Behaviour’ of the PSS: NICU subscale, this could be explained by the impact that causes the external characteristics of their preterm newborn (Ionio et al., 2016).”
BackgroundLutkiewicz, K., & Bidzan, M. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.935871 · Cited by 10
Envisioning translational hyperscanning: how applied neuroscience might improve family-centered care
Provenzi, L., Roberti, E., & Capelli, E. (2022) · Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience · doi:10.1093/scan/nsac061 · Cited by 10
“NICU stress may also impact parental psychological well-being (Caporali et al., 2020), increasing the risk of depression and anxiety (Treyvaud et al., 2019), and later parenting stress and bonding challenges after discharge (Ionio et al., 2016; Mäkelä et al., 2018).”
BackgroundFactors Affecting Time NICU Nurses Spend With Fathers
Clarkson, G., & Gilmer, M. J. (2019) · Advances in Neonatal Care · doi:10.1097/anc.0000000000000646 · Cited by 10
Lee, S. J., Choi, E. K., Park, J., & Kim, H. S. (2019) · Child Health Nursing Research · doi:10.4094/chnr.2019.25.4.377 · Cited by 10
“료 과정 속에서 고통을 느끼는 아기를 부모로서 도와줄 수 없다는 것은 부모에게 큰 좌절감을 경험하게 한다[10,23].”
The effect of family-centered education on the quality of life of the parents of premature infants
Khanjari, S., Bell, E. F., Mohagheghi, P., Sadeghi, L. S., Haghani, S., & Rokhsatichenijani, E. (2022) · Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2021.10.005 · Cited by 9
Kaewwimol, P., Ruchiwit, M., & Liaw, J.-J. (2022) · The Open Public Health Journal · doi:10.2174/18749445-v15-e2206080 · Cited by 10
Peng, Y., Xu, L., Gu, C., Ma, G., Zhang, Z., Zhang, Y., Liu, L.-Z., Xie, J., Lin, S., & Lam, S. K. K. (2024) · Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.apjon.2024.100568 · Cited by 8
Omidi, A., Rahmani, S., Amini, R., & Karami, M. (2022) · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · doi:10.1186/s12884-022-04810-z · Cited by 9
“Mothers with LBW infants more probably experience shock, helplessness, distress, and emotional disorder than mothers with healthy newborns [28], which can affect LBW breastfeeding.”
BackgroundTsui, W., Yip, K., & Yip, Y. (2023) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph20021633 · Cited by 9
“Both fathers and mothers reported significant stress and the need for reassurance and support [4] due to uncertainty and the fact that many Hong Kong citizens were not yet fully vaccinated.”
BackgroundPTSS in Fathers of VLBW Infants Two to Four Years Postpartum: A Pilot Study
Alexander, A. L., Clarke, P., Rushworth, I., & Mastroyannopoulou, K. (2019) · Clinical Practice in Pediatric Psychology · doi:10.1037/cpp0000299 · Cited by 9
“…with some previous research (Mackley, Locke, Spear, & Joseph, 2010), although other research has suggested poor conditions at birth are linked to parents’ stress levels (Ionio et al., 2016), and a more likely presence of PTSD for fathers of the most premature infants (Koliouli et al., 2016).”
Weigl, T., & Garthus‐Niegel, S. (2021) · Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie · doi:10.1055/a-1471-8017 · Cited by 9
Koreska, M., Petersen, M., Andersen, B. L., & Brødsgaard, A. (2020) · Journal for Specialists in Pediatric Nursing · doi:10.1111/jspn.12274 · Cited by 8
Sensitivity Training for Mothers With Premature Infants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Yu, N. K. K., Shum, K. K., Lam, Y. Y., Kwan, Q. K. L., Ng, S. Y. P., & Chan, N. T. T. (2022) · Journal of Pediatric Psychology · doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsac051 · Cited by 10
Supporting Fathers in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Hull, W., Rodriguez, A., Talarico, N., & Bordelon, C. (2024) · The Journal of Perinatal & Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1097/jpn.0000000000000876 · Cited by 8
“14 A cost-benefit analysis would be needed to substantiate the benefits of this potential intervention.”
Mascheroni, E., Faccio, F., Bonassi, L., Ionio, C., Peccatori, F. A., Pisoni, C., Cassani, C., Ongaro, G., Cattaneo, E., Nastasi, G., et al. (2019) · Supportive Care in Cancer · doi:10.1007/s00520-019-05048-w · Cited by 9
Self-citationPsychometric properties of the Persian version of the parental stress scale: NICU
Akmali, P., Nikfarid, L., Masoumpour, A., Chaibakhsh, S., & Ahmadi, M. (2021) · Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2021.08.019 · Cited by 8
Gibbs, D., Odeh, N., Theron, M., & Harding, C. (2020) · Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2020.10.004 · Cited by 8
The Effects of Telenursing on Stress in Mothers with Premature Infants
Asghari, E., Farahani, A. S., Nourian, M., Bonakchi, H., & Gholami, S. (2021) · DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) · doi:10.22038/ebcj.2021.52976.2398 · Cited by 8
“In general, mothers are very vulnerable in the postpartum period and undergo too much stress (32-34).”
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“POMS is largely used in perinatal literature, showing good psychometric properties [19] also in Italian women population [20].”
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Kapito, E. M., Chirwa, E. M., Chodzaza, E., Norr, K. F., Patil, C. L., Maluwa, A. O., & White‐Traut, R. C. (2023) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/s12887-023-04015-z · Cited by 7
Family Resilience as an Emerging Concept in Neonatology
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“Very preterm infants are at increased risk of high morbidity and mortality and they often suffer long-term consequences from their preterm birth, including hindered psycho-motor development and impaired cognitive capacities [2].”
Álvarez, M. J. Á., García, D. F., Gómez-Salgado, J. C., Campos, B. O., Rodríguez‐González, M. D., & Martínez‐Isasi, S. (2019) · Journal of Advanced Nursing · doi:10.1111/jan.14135 · Cited by 7
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Perceived stress of mothers and fathers on two NICUs before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic
Deindl, P., Witting, A., Dür, M., Berger, A., Klebermaß-Schrehof, K., Singer, D., Giordano, V., & Fuiko, R. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-40836-9 · Cited by 7
“Different studies showed that parental stress might have negative long-term consequences on the parent–child interaction and the child’s development 4, 5 .”
BackgroundPerceptions and Practices of Parents in Caring for their Hospitalized Preterm Infants
Sarapat, P., Fongkaew, W., Jintrawet, U., Mesukko, J., & Ray, L. D. (2017) · Pacific Rim International Journal of Nursing Research · Cited by 7
Rybojad, B., Aftyka, A., & Samardakiewicz, M. (2018) · Journal of Clinical Nursing · doi:10.1111/jocn.14597 · Cited by 7
Ionio, C., Giannoni, V., Colombo, C., Ciuffo, G., Landoni, M., Banfi, A., Balestriero, M. A., Scelsa, B., & Lista, G. (2022) · Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2022.01.012 · Cited by 7
Self-citationPsychosocial Needs of Parents of Infants Admitted to Neonatal Care: A Qualitative Study
Thomson, G., Nowland, R. A., & Irving, M. (2022) · Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.jnn.2022.07.006 · Cited by 6
Herr, L., Chung, J., Lee, K. E., Han, J. H., Shin, J. E., Jung, H., & Kang, C. (2023) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0281896 · Cited by 6
Church, P., Banihani, R., Thomas, K., Luther, M., Agnew, B., Makino, A. P., Lam‐Damji, S., & Fehlings, D. L. (2024) · Acta Paediatrica · doi:10.1111/apa.17458 · Cited by 6
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Self-citationKim, S., Brennan, P. A., Slavich, G. M., Hertzberg, V., Kelly, U. A., & Dunlop, A. L. (2024) · BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth · doi:10.1186/s12884-024-06613-w · Cited by 5
“Preterm birth ( 37 weeks’ gestation) has a range of adverse effects on child health, academic, and social outcomes [1], as well as on parents and families (e.g., psychological distress) [2], and generates high educational and medical costs [3].”
BackgroundHowden, A., McFerran, K. S., & Thompson, G. A. (2022) · Nordic Journal of Music Therapy · doi:10.1080/08098131.2022.2115531 · Cited by 5
“Parents navigate their “non-normative” transition to parenting while confronting various stresses such as prolonged separation from their baby (Shah et al., 2011), a loss of agency and control (Ionio et al., 2016), compromised bonding experiences, and suspended parenting (Petty et al., 2018).”
BackgroundInfluentialEffects of a Noncontact Visit Program in the NICU for the Prevention of COVID-19
Ahn, H. Y., Jo, H., & Ko, H. J. (2023) · Healthcare · doi:10.3390/healthcare11152152 · Cited by 5
“High-risk neonates’ mothers are more likely to experience depression, guilt, sadness, anger, and helplessness than those of normal infants, due to the healthcare environment of NICUs, their children’s unstable conditions, uncertainty regarding their children’s conditions and prognosis, and the loss of maternal roles t…”
BackgroundInfluentialRubinstein, R., Gallagher, K., Ho, J., Bose, J., Khashu, M., & Aladangady, N. (2023) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/53160 · Cited by 4
“This is vital as research has found that fathers find the fragile appearance of their premature infants causes significant stress XSL • FO RenderX [34].”
Neumann, A., Bolster, M., Lisewski, N., Icke, K., Reinhold, T., Schlensog‐Schuster, F., Ludwig‐Körner, C., Kuchinke, L., Keil, T. O. P., Roll, S., et al. (2024) · Journal of Child and Family Studies · doi:10.1007/s10826-023-02748-0 · Cited by 7
Naeem, A. T., Shariat, M., Zarkesh, M. R., Abedinia, N., Teimoorybakhsh, S., & Nayeri, F. (2019) · Iranian Journal of Pediatrics · doi:10.5812/ijp.87799 · Cited by 5
“Other studies have also confirmed that immediately after preterm birth till at least one month later, scores of PTSD, anger, anxiety and depression among mothers of preterm infants were significantly greater than those among mothers of full term infants (11, 13, 14, 22).”
BackgroundResultCai, Q., Wang, H. X., Chen, D., Xu, W., Yang, R., & Xu, X. (2022) · BMJ Open · doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062004 · Cited by 8
Estimation of Stress amongst the Parents of Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Sisodia, P., Khan, H., Shukla, N. K., Rathoria, R., Rathoria, E., Bansal, U., & Shukla, R. (2023) · Advances in Human Biology · doi:10.4103/aihb.aihb_132_22 · Cited by 5
Eckart, F., Kaufmann, M., Rüdiger, M., Birdir, C., & Mense, L. (2023) · Zeitschrift für Geburtshilfe und Neonatologie · doi:10.1055/a-1977-9102 · Cited by 5
“[40] Ionio C, Colombo C, Brazzoduro V et al.”
BackgroundAssisted Reproductive Technology: Stress-Related Epigenetic and Neurodevelopmental Risk?
Szőke, H., Bókkon, I., Kapócs, G., Vagedes, J., Saahs, C., Mérey, A., & Kovács, Z. (2018) · Activitas Nervosa Superior · doi:10.1007/s41470-018-0026-3 · Cited by 4
Relationship among Depression, Anxiety and Mother-Infant Bonding in Mothers of Premature Babies
Abdelsalam, Z. A. (2017) · SOJ Nursing & Health Care · doi:10.15226/2471-6529/3/2/00132 · Cited by 5
“who conducted a study to assess the impact of preterm birth on parental distress and found that mothers of preterm babies suffer from higher depression scores than mothers of full term babies [11].”
BackgroundInfluentialIncremental cost of premature birth – a public health care payer perspective from Hungary
Kovács, G., Abonyi‐Tóth, Z., Fadgyas‐Freyler, P., & Kaló, Z. (2023) · BMC Health Services Research · doi:10.1186/s12913-023-09697-w · Cited by 4
“In addition, the consequences of prematurity — long-term care in the neonatal intensive care department, anxieties about the infant after their discharge from the hospital, facing prematurity complications, the damage to interpersonal relationships within the family — can also burden the affected families, leading to…”
BackgroundRusso, C., & Decataldo, A. (2024) · Journal of Family Studies · doi:10.1080/13229400.2024.2409148 · Cited by 4
“Recent studies have expanded their focus beyond the well-being of the mother to include the parental couple and the triad of mother, father, and newborn (Ionio et al., 2016; Lindberg et al., 2008).”
InfluentialYenidoğan Yoğun Bakım Ünitesinde Aile Merkezli Bakım: Anne Görüşleri
Çağlar, S., Ar, I., Yaşa, B., & KURT, Ş. (2019) · STED / Sürekli Tıp Eğitimi Dergisi · doi:10.17942/sted.495198 · Cited by 4
de Carvalho, F. S., Vliegen, N., Reiss, I. K. M., & van Dijk, M. (2023) · Journal of Child Psychotherapy · doi:10.1080/0075417x.2023.2206885 · Cited by 4
“Mentalization based parenting of the premature baby Once the baby is born prematurely and in need of intensive care, parents face a second episode of highly stressful and traumatic circumstances (Ionio et al., 2016).”
BackgroundPostier, A. C., Foster, L., Remke, S. S., Simpson, J., Friedrichsdorf, S. J., & Brearley, S. G. (2023) · Maternal and Child Health Journal · doi:10.1007/s10995-023-03827-w · Cited by 4
“It is well documented that communication and interactions with others are often strained during a NICU stay (Lorie et al., 2021; Purdy et al., 2015) (Ionio et al., 2016) with emotional distress heightened as parents and staff focus on the infant’s survival in a chaotic and unfamiliar environment.”
Shinohara, S., Shinohara, R., Kojima, R., Otawa, S., Kushima, M., Miyake, K., Yui, H., Ooka, T., Akiyama, Y., Horiuchi, S., et al. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.06.001 · Cited by 4
van Burgsteden, L., Lamerichs, J., Hoogerwerf, A., Molder, H. T., & de Jong, M. (2024) · PEC Innovation · doi:10.1016/j.pecinn.2024.100327 · Cited by 4
Reimagining Neonatal Follow-Up
Church, P., Banihani, R., Litt, J. S., & Msall, M. E. (2024) · Pediatric Clinics of North America · doi:10.1016/j.pcl.2024.07.027 · Cited by 4
Tajalli, S., Parvizy, S., Ebadi, A., Zamaniashtiani, F., & Kenner, C. A. (2025) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/s12887-024-05338-1 · Cited by 8
Verhoeven, R., Kooi, E. M. W., Obermann-Borst, S. A., Labrie, N., Geurtzen, R., Verhagen, E. A. A., & Hulscher, J. B. F. (2025) · Early Human Development · doi:10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2025.106219 · Cited by 4
Receipt of Federal Income Support by Eligible Low-Birth-Weight Infants
Guo, M., Martin, M. W., Kavanagh, N. M., Chen, J. T., Hemmeter, J., Kawachi, I. I., Parker, M. G. K., & McConnell, M. A. (2025) · Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine · doi:10.1001/jamapediatrics.2024.6262 · Cited by 4
Information and Communications Technology and Education Customized for Fathers of Preterm Infants
Kim, H. N. (2020) · Neonatal Network The Journal of Neonatal Nursing · doi:10.1891/0730-0832.39.2.66 · Cited by 4
Parental perspectives long term after neonatal clinical trial participation: a survey
Salaets, T., Lavrysen, E., Smits, A., Vanhaesebrouck, S., Rayyan, M., Ortibus, E., Toelen, J., Claes, L., & Allegaert, K. (2020) · Trials · doi:10.1186/s13063-020-04787-0 · Cited by 4
Mohtashami, M. J., Ahmadi, Z., Imeni, M., Amerian, M., & Aghoozi, M. F. (2020) · Journal of Holistic Nursing and Midwifery · doi:10.32598/jhnm.31.1.2042 · Cited by 4
“Inappropriate response to parents may cause anxiety and fear in family members [9].”
BackgroundDelanerolle, G., Zeng, Y., Phiri, P., Phan, T., Tempest, N., Busuulwa, P., Shetty, A., Raymont, V., Rathod, S., JIAN-QING, S., et al. (2022) · World Journal of Psychiatry · doi:10.5498/wjp.v12.i9.1233 · Cited by 5
VIVÊNCIAS PARENTAIS NO CONTEXTO DA PREMATURIDADE: DA UTIN AO PRIMEIRO ANO DE VIDA DO BEBÊ
Frantz, M. F., & Donelli, T. M. S. (2022) · Ágora Estudos em Teoria Psicanalítica · doi:10.1590/1809-44142022-02-03 · Cited by 4
Yazdanpanahi, Z., Mirmolaei, S. T., Taghizadeh, Z., Jaafarpour, M., & Hajifoghaha, M. (2023) · Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology · doi:10.1080/02646838.2023.2201844 · Cited by 5
“Preterm delivery causes parents to become worried and anxious, which makes them prone to postnatal depression (Ionio et al., 2016).”
Ernst, M., Schuster, A. K.-G., Mildenberger, E., Otten, D., Brähler, E., Tesarz, J., Urschitz, M. S., Pfeiffer, N., Beutel, M. E., & Fieß, A. (2023) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2023.115374 · Cited by 6
The sociodemographic determinants of stress level among the parents of preterm infants
Russo, C., Decataldo, A., & Fiore, B. (2023) · International Journal of Sociology and Social Policy · doi:10.1108/ijssp-08-2023-0180 · Cited by 4
Koliouli, F., Troupel, O., Dajon, M., & Bénard, M. (2024) · Psychologie Française · doi:10.1016/j.psfr.2024.01.001 · Cited by 5
Mitchell, A. E., Armstrong, R. M., McBryde, C., Morawska, A., Etel, E., Hurrion, E. M., McAuliffe, T., & Johnston, L. M. (2024) · Early Child Development and Care · doi:10.1080/03004430.2024.2352722 · Cited by 4
“Parents of children born very/extremely preterm can experience acute psychological distress while their baby is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and across the fi rst year of life (Carson, Redshaw, Gray, & Quigley, 2015; Ionio et al., 2016; Jones, Rowe, & Becker, 2009; Pisoni et al., 2019).”
“Lost in space and time”: Fathers’ experiences of preterm birth
Monostori, D., Lampek, K., & Erdős, M. B. (2024) · European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling · doi:10.1080/13642537.2024.2355957 · Cited by 4
“Mothers’ experiences have been studied more extensively but exploring fathers’ birth-related experiences is a recent theme (Arnold et al., 2013; Baldoni et al., 2021, Carson et al., 2015; Ionio et al., 2016).”
Moradi, H. A., Borimnejad, L., Seyedfatemi, N., Haghani, H., & Moradi, M. (2019) · Iran Journal of Nursing · doi:10.29252/ijn.32.121.94 · Cited by 4
Reimer, A., Mause, L., Hoffmann, J., Hagemeier, A., Dresbach, T., Scholten, N., & Neo‐CamCare (2023) · Acta Paediatrica · doi:10.1111/apa.16664 · Cited by 3
Breast milk expression as a challenge for mothers of premature infants
Özkaya, M., & Körükcü, Ö. (2022) · Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology · doi:10.1080/01443615.2022.2055454 · Cited by 3
“Unexpected separation by preterm labour may cause an emotional crisis and negative emotions in a woman who is not ready for motherhood by suddenly interrupting this bond (Ionio et al. 2016).”
BackgroundHaile, T. G., Gebremeskel, G. G., Mariye, T., Mebrahtom, G., Aberhe, W., Hailay, A., Abraha, T. H., Asres, N., Guesh, T., & Teklay, G. (2024) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0313451 · Cited by 3
A Compassion-Focused Approach to Support Parents After Preterm Birth
Lloyd-Collins, T. M., Fitzallen, G. C., & Kirby, J. N. (2025) · Clinical Child and Family Psychology Review · doi:10.1007/s10567-025-00549-z · Cited by 3
“Recent efforts have endeavoured to include fathers' experiences and their mental health outcomes (Agostini et al., 2022; Ionio et al., 2016; Mackley et al., 2010; Mer-ritt, 2021; Petersen & Quinlivan, 2021; Provenzi & Santoro, 2015), marking an important step toward broader representation.”
McCarty, D. B., Golden, S. D., Ferrari, R. M., Zvara, B. J., Wilson, W. D., & Shanahan, M. E. (2024) · Journal of Perinatology · doi:10.1038/s41372-024-02175-z · Cited by 3
“Mothers and fathers experience challenges related to the unnatural separation and medical acuity of their newborn; however, mothers experience the greatest dif fi culties managing their mental health and well-being [3], which can negatively impact maternal-infant bonding [4].”
Nodehi, F. N., Aziznejadroshan, P., Nikbakht, H., Mojaveri, M. H., & Halakhor, S. (2024) · BMC Pediatrics · doi:10.1186/s12887-024-05270-4 · Cited by 3
“The NICU is reported to be a highly stressful environment for parents and infants, marked by separation and uncertainty about the infant’s mortality [15].”
Development and psychometric analysis of the traumatic childbirth perception scale in men
Dilcen, H. Y., Ada, G., & Bulut, E. (2025) · Current Psychology · doi:10.1007/s12144-025-07612-6 · Cited by 3
“Especially complications that may occur during childbirth may increase this stress and create long-term psychological effects (Åsenhed et al., 2014 ; Inglis et al., 2016; Ionio et al., 2016; Philpott et al., 2017; Wynter et al., 2020).”
Preterm Infants: Parenting Implications and Perspectives in Early Childhood Special Education
Amatori, G. (2021) · EDUCATION SCIENCES AND SOCIETY · doi:10.3280/ess1-2021oa11793 · Cited by 3
Silva, W., Virtanen, E., Kajantie, E., & Sebert, S. P. (2022) · JMIR Research Protocols · doi:10.2196/34987 · Cited by 3
“However, the focus has been placed on the impact of preterm birth on parents and associated environmental stressors [16-21], and little attention has been given to the full-term born sibling of the preterm born child.”
eHealth interventions for parents in neonatal intensive care units: a systematic review protocol
Dol, J., Delahunty‐Pike, A., Siani, S. A., & Campbell-Yeo, M. L. (2017) · The JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports · doi:10.11124/jbisrir-2016-003246 · Cited by 3
Kılıçlı, A., Saraçoğlu, G., & Büyükbodur, A. Ç. (2023) · Florence Nightingale Journal of Nursing · doi:10.5152/fnjn.2023.22219 · Cited by 3
Eyeberu, A., Alemu, A., Debella, A., & Mussa, I. (2023) · Reproductive Health · doi:10.1186/s12978-023-01716-7 · Cited by 3
“Furthermore, prematurity has a negative influence on the family and mothers, including social isolation, anxiety, exhaustion, and psychological anguish [24–26].”
BackgroundCoquoz, R., Pellaton, C., Bettelini, L., Rio, L. M., & Santo, A. D. (2024) · Lecture notes in business information processing · doi:10.1007/978-3-031-56478-9_15 · Cited by 4
Goals of Parents Whose Infant Is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Fucile, S., Samson, J., Rockley, J., & Dow, K. E. (2020) · Advances in Neonatal Care · doi:10.1097/anc.0000000000000725 · Cited by 3
Metadata
- Authors
- Ionio, C., Colombo, C., Brazzoduro, V., Mascheroni, E., Confalonieri, E., Castoldi, F., & Lista, G.
- Affiliations
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore (IT)
- Ospedale dei Bambini Vittore Buzzi (IT)
- Corresponding author
- Ionio, Chiara
- ORCID
- Venue
- Europe’s Journal of Psychology
- Published
- 2016-11-18
- Volume
- 12
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 604-621
- ISSN
- 1841-0413 (ISSN-L)
- PMC
- PMC5114875
- OpenAlex
- W2550032293
- Cited by
- 347
- References
- 60
- Citations by year
- 2026: 30 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 56 · 2023: 52 · 2022: 40 · 2021: 41 · 2020: 40 · 2019: 28 · 2018: 19 · 2017: 13 · 2016: 1
- FWCI
- 23.66
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- diamond
- doi.org
- Licence
- cc-by
- Locations
- Europe’s Journal of Psychology (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
- PsychOpen Gold (Leibniz Institute for Psychology) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
- Psychology Archives (cc-by)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Infant Development and Preterm Care
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health › Maternal Mental Health During Pregnancy and Postpartum
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Family and Disability Support Research
- Keywords
- preterm birth, parental stress, parents, neonatal intensive care unit, negative emotions, perceived social support, postpartum bonding, birth weight, term infants, family stress
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