Patterns of change in family functioning, resources, coping and parental depression in mothers and fathers of sick newborns over the first year of life

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to determine the pattern of change in family function, resources, coping and distress over the first year following the birth of a sick newborn. This study involved 152 two-parent families of infants who required intensive care at birth. Well validated questionnaires were administered: in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and at 3-, 6- and 12-months post-discharge. The results indicated that most changes occurred in the time period from NICU to 3-months: 1) both mothers and fathers showed a significant decline in family function ( p < 0.0001); 2) mothers showed a significant decrease in resources ( p = 0.03); and 3) both mothers and fathers showed a significant decrease in distress scores ( p < 0.0001). There was only one significant change from 3 to 6 months: fathers showed an increase in resources ( p = 0.04). Although the frequency of depression decreases after the first 3 months for most parents, 20% of parents continue to report depression over the next 9 months.