Postpartum Depression, Anxiety, and Psychological Flexibility in NICU Mothers: Implications for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

Philadelphia, PA

Pregnancy and the postpartum period may be physiologically and psychologically demanding for women as they navigate a multitude of factors. This experience may be further complicated by stressful reproductive events, such as newborn admission into the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Having a baby admitted to the NICU is often particularly challenging for mothers from a psychological perspective, serving as an added layer that may contribute to postpartum depression and anxiety. Psychological flexibility is the concept of openness, adaptability, and readiness in the face of adversity. For NICU mothers, psychological flexibility serves as a possible therapeutic target to address postpartum mental health problems. A form of psychotherapy called Acceptance and Commitment therapy (ACT) encourages individuals to recognize their feelings and helps find ways to cope through a values-based approach. ACT works to increase psychological flexibility, which in turn has the potential to improve postpartum mental health symptoms in mothers who experienced adverse reproductive events. This research project seeks to discuss postpartum depression and anxiety in NICU mothers, and explore psychological flexibility and ACT in these circumstances. The poster will review current literature on the topic, uncover existing knowledge gaps, and consider future directions. Findings will be pertinent for practitioners who provide care to NICU mothers who struggle with postpartum depression and/or anxiety.