Cumulative risk factors and mental health of mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Purpose: The present study examined predictive linkages between multiple risk factors and their contribution to the development of anxiety and depression in Puerto Rican mothers of infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

Method: The scales used were: the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale, the Hollingshead, and a Demographic Questionnaire was constructed to obtain information about mother and infant characteristics.

Results: Both the cumulative psychosocial risk factor (B = 0.267, p = .011) and the cumulative neonatal risk factor (B = −0.220, p = .039) were significant predictors of mothers’ anxiety.

Discussion: It could be beneficial to create psychosocial interventions in the NICU to address parents’ needs and promote emotional resilience. Also, training staff to provide an adequate explanation to mothers, regarding the infants’ recovery process is of particular importance.

Keywords:

• Depression anxiety
• neonatal risk
• obstetric risk
• psychosocial risk
• Puerto Rican mothers