Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
3-5-2023 1:00 PM
End Date
3-5-2023 4:00 PM
Description
Introduction: A growing body of research suggests that an infants’ admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with adverse maternal mental health outcomes. Maternal attitudes, adjustment to motherhood, social support, and health behaviors may be important modifiable factors that could improve quality of life and well-being among NICU mothers. The current study examined the relationships among maternal attitudes, adjustment to motherhood, health behaviors, social support, and psychological functioning in NICU mothers.
Methods: One hundred twenty-seven women were recruited from NICUs at three hospitals in the Philadelphia area and completed self-report measures while in the NICU. Descriptive analyses were conducted on the main variables, and a series of bivariate correlations and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the primary study aims.
Results: Descriptive statistics indicated that NICU mothers had diverse attitudes towards motherhood, specifically regarding body image, somatic symptoms, romantic relationships, sex, and their baby. In general, they perceived high levels of social support, which varied based upon psychological and reproductive characteristics. Statistically significant findings revealed that maternal attitudes, adjustment, and perceived social support variables were negatively correlated with anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms.
Discussion: This study demonstrates that certain maternal variables are related to psychological functioning among NICU mothers, such as maternal attitudes, adjustment, and social support. Determining how to bolster these variables as a protective mechanism for mothers during the stressful NICU experience is an important future direction. This study suggests that developing and implementing unique programs and interventions that target these variables in the NICU setting may benefit mothers, families, and infants.
Embargo Period
8-29-2023
Included in
Maternal attitudes, adjustment, health behaviors, and social support among mothers of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit
Philadelphia, PA
Introduction: A growing body of research suggests that an infants’ admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is associated with adverse maternal mental health outcomes. Maternal attitudes, adjustment to motherhood, social support, and health behaviors may be important modifiable factors that could improve quality of life and well-being among NICU mothers. The current study examined the relationships among maternal attitudes, adjustment to motherhood, health behaviors, social support, and psychological functioning in NICU mothers.
Methods: One hundred twenty-seven women were recruited from NICUs at three hospitals in the Philadelphia area and completed self-report measures while in the NICU. Descriptive analyses were conducted on the main variables, and a series of bivariate correlations and linear regression analyses were used to evaluate the primary study aims.
Results: Descriptive statistics indicated that NICU mothers had diverse attitudes towards motherhood, specifically regarding body image, somatic symptoms, romantic relationships, sex, and their baby. In general, they perceived high levels of social support, which varied based upon psychological and reproductive characteristics. Statistically significant findings revealed that maternal attitudes, adjustment, and perceived social support variables were negatively correlated with anxiety, stress, and depressive symptoms.
Discussion: This study demonstrates that certain maternal variables are related to psychological functioning among NICU mothers, such as maternal attitudes, adjustment, and social support. Determining how to bolster these variables as a protective mechanism for mothers during the stressful NICU experience is an important future direction. This study suggests that developing and implementing unique programs and interventions that target these variables in the NICU setting may benefit mothers, families, and infants.