Mothers and fathers in NICU: The impact of preterm birth on parental distress

“i) Abbreviations used in the text: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R); Profile of Mood States (POMS); Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS); Post Partum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ); Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU); gestationa…”

“i) Abbreviations used in the text: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU); Impact of Event Scale Revised (IES-R); Profile of Mood States (POMS); Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS); Post Partum Bonding Questionnaire (PBQ); Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU); gestationa…”

“…negative states of mind and feelings, such as anxiety, hostility, inertia, depression, and bewilderment, and stress related to the NICU perception, the baby’s conditions and the perception of an altered parental role (Ionio & Di Blasio, 2014; Lefkowitz et al., 2010; Müller-Nix & Ansermet, 2009).”

“From previous studies (Diego, Field, Jones, & Hernandez-Reif, 2006; Feldman & Eidelman, 2007; Müller-Nix & Ansermet, 2009), we know that all these factors could have long-term effects on the quality of parent–infant interactions in the postnatal period.”

“Based on previous studies (Ionio & Di Blasio, 2014; Lefkowitz et al., 2010; Matricardi et al., 2013; Miles et al., 2007; Müller-Nix & Ansermet, 2009), we expected: Europe's Journal of Psychology 2016, Vol. 12(4), 604–621 doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i4.”

“Indeed previous studies about this topic showed that mothers, after their baby’s premature birth and NICU stay, felt more stressed than their husbands (Jackson et al., 2003) and sometimes, mothers could show significantly higher levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms such as avoidance, intrusion, and hyperarousal (Ho…”

“…as far as we know still few studies investigate mothers’ and fathers’ initial experience and reactions immediately after the premature birth of their child (Aagaard & Hall, 2008; Arnold et al., 2013; Jackson, Ternestedt, & Schollin, 2003; Maroney, 1994; Orapiriyakul, Jirapaet, & Rodcumdee, 2007).”

“Other studies have pointed out that parental stress experienced during the infant’s admission in NICU could influence the psychological and behavioral development of the baby (Dudek-Shriber, 2004; Howe, Sheu, Wang, & Hsu, 2014).”

“Thinking about their babies as sick and in danger is very stressful for parents, and it may bring them to an emotional crisis (Alkozei et al., 2014; Franck, Cox, Allen, & Winter, 2005).”

“One month after preterm birth, parents are shocked by the physiological and psychological conditions of their baby (Hoffenkamp et al., 2015; Singer et al., 2003).”

“Referring also to the eight criteria for defining a potentially traumatic event, identified by Green (1990), premature birth could be a traumatic event since it is a threat to the physical integrity of the mother and a threat to the integrity of a loved one, the baby.”

“Based on previous studies (Ionio & Di Blasio, 2014; Lefkowitz et al., 2010; Matricardi et al., 2013; Miles et al., 2007; Müller-Nix & Ansermet, 2009), we expected: Europe's Journal of Psychology 2016, Vol. 12(4), 604–621 doi:10.5964/ejop.v12i4.”

“The appearance of preterm babies is perceived as less physically attractive than the features of full-terms: they are immature and show less infantile facial features (Goldberg & DiVitto, 2002; Hildebrandt & Fitzgerald, 1979; Hoffenkamp et al., 2012).”

“…as far as we know still few studies investigate mothers’ and fathers’ initial experience and reactions immediately after the premature birth of their child (Aagaard & Hall, 2008; Arnold et al., 2013; Jackson, Ternestedt, & Schollin, 2003; Maroney, 1994; Orapiriyakul, Jirapaet, & Rodcumdee, 2007).”

“In fact fathers usually are not expected to be actively involved in their infant’s care as mothers, and their participation helps them to cope with stress and empowers them in their paternal role (Lindberg & Öhrling, 2008).”

“Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU; Miles, Funk, & Carlson, 1993; Italian version by Montirosso et al., 2012).”

“On the other hand, fathers were angrier, more frightened, and less reactive than mothers (Lindberg et al., 2007).”

“The appearance of preterm babies is perceived as less physically attractive than the features of full-terms: they are immature and show less infantile facial features (Goldberg & DiVitto, 2002; Hildebrandt & Fitzgerald, 1979; Hoffenkamp et al., 2012).”

“Furthermore still few studies examined fathers’ experiences of preterm birth, although these studies highlighted the importance of fathers’ experiences (Candelori, Trumello, Babore, Keren, & Romanelli, 2015; Lundqvist & Jakobsson, 2003; Pohlman, 2005).”

“Therefore, supporting parents during the hospitalization of infants could protect the development of the “preterm family” (Korja et al., 2010).”

“Our results are in line with those researches that found that, at least one month after delivery, mothers of premature babies exhibited more negative feelings, in particular, anxiety and depression, than did the mothers of full-term children (Ravn et al., 2012; Vigod, Villegas, Dennis, & Ross, 2010).”

“Previous studies suggested that preterm birth usually causes negative thoughts in mothers and fathers: generally, they are not ready to deal with this event, and they may feel more weak and tired than parents of full-term children (Cena et al., 2010; Clottey & Dillard, 2013; Wigert et al., 2010).”

“Furthermore in Italy many units applied restrictions regarding the frequency and the time of parents' admission to NICU and fathers are usually less involved than mothers as regards skin-to-skin contact and Kangaroo Care (Pallás-Alonso et al., 2012).”

“Furthermore still few studies examined fathers’ experiences of preterm birth, although these studies highlighted the importance of fathers’ experiences (Candelori, Trumello, Babore, Keren, & Romanelli, 2015; Lundqvist & Jakobsson, 2003; Pohlman, 2005).”

“Our results therefore pointed out that fathers don’t experience the NICU as mothers do (Pallás-Alonso et al., 2012; Trombini et al., 2008).”

“…to develop post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms of avoidance, hyperarousal, and intrusion (Lefkowitz, Baxt, & Evans, 2010), preventing parents from having a normative transition to parenthood (Watson, 2011) and damaging the new relationship between them and their baby (Ionio & Di Blasio, 2014).”

“Indeed, Olshtain-Mann and Auslander (2008) claim that mothers feel guiltier than fathers for their infant's prematurity.”

“The appearance of preterm babies is perceived as less physically attractive than the features of full-terms: they are immature and show less infantile facial features (Goldberg & DiVitto, 2002; Hildebrandt & Fitzgerald, 1979; Hoffenkamp et al., 2012).”

“Even if there are still few studies that take into consideration the fathers’ prospective (Candelori et al., 2015; Lindberg et al., 2007; Lundqvist & Jakobsson, 2003; Pohlman, 2005), our results, according to these studies, added further evidence that underline that fathers need to be supported and…”

“1093 Teti, Hess, and O’Connell (2005) reported that parents of premature babies are “preterm parents”: negative feelings, stress, anxiety, and the uncertain future of their babies put them in a position of fragility that could damage their attachment relationship with their babies (Coppola &…”

“One month after preterm birth, parents are shocked by the physiological and psychological conditions of their baby (Hoffenkamp et al., 2015; Singer et al., 2003).”

“Previous studies suggested that preterm birth usually causes negative thoughts in mothers and fathers: generally, they are not ready to deal with this event, and they may feel more weak and tired than parents of full-term children (Cena et al., 2010; Clottey & Dillard, 2013; Wigert et al., 2010).”

“Positive effects of skin-to-skin contact between children and their parents are related to effects on the parents (de Macedo, Cruvinel, Lukasova, & D’Antino, 2007; Feldman, Eidelman, Sirota, & Weller, 2002; Green & Phipps, 2015).”

“37] Ionio C, 2016 [69] osl Fathers 19 0.”

“…prevent parents from immediately taking care of their newborn children (Feldman et al ., 1999; Goldberg and DiVitto, 2005; Axelin et al. , 2010; Ionio et al ., 2016a) and this may lead parents to experience higher level of stress, mostly because of parental role marginalization (Montirosso et…”