Abstract
The aim of the study was to identify whether perceived stress and significant life changes are related with partnership relation quality in mothers of preterm-born children. The study group consisted of 260 women, who gave a preterm birth. In most cases the delivery took place in the 34–36th week of pregnancy. The research consisted of two phases. Phase 1 was carried out in the Department of Obstetrics at the Medical University of Gdansk in the neonatal period (2–3 days after birth). Phase 2 was carried out in the place of residence of the mother and child during early childhood (24–30th month of the child’s life). The following research tools were used in the first phase of the research project: Analysis of nursing and medical reports, an interview questionnaire and psychological interview, The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) (Lavenstein, the Polish version, after Plopa, 2008), The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire (RLCQ) (Rahe and Holmes, 1975), the Polish version, after Terelak 1995), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) (Spanier, 1976, the Polish version, after Cieślak, 1989). In the second phase of the study the respondents were once again examined using the DAS. It was shown that stress is related to partnership relationship quality and of all its components, except cohesion. The findings demonstrated that important life events are associated with a couple’s emotional expression in the neonatal period. Stressful life events do not correlate with relationship quality.
Highlights
Preterm birth is considered a major challenge of modern perinatology
The following research tools were used in the first phase of the research project: Analysis of nursing and medical reports, an interview questionnaire and psychological interview, The Perceived Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) (Lavenstein, the Polish version, after Plopa, 2008), The Recent Life Changes Questionnaire (RLCQ) (Rahe and Holmes, 1975), the Polish version, after Terelak 1995), and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS) (Spanier, 1976, the Polish version, after Cieślak, 1989)
The results indicate that the perceived stress and all of its dimensions negatively correlate with consensus, emotional expression and satisfaction with the relationship, resulting in a lower partnership relation quality as assessed subjectively by the mother
Summary
Organization (WHO) estimates that around 15 million children worldwide are born prematurely each year, and the number of preterm births is increasing steadily [1]. In Poland, the pre-term birth rate is estimated to be around 6.3–8% and is on a downward trend, but still quite high compared to other developed countries in Europe [2,3,4,5,6]. The experience of preterm labor can alter the way a couple and the whole family function during the first years of a child’s life [12], especially when prematurity is associated with developmental disorders and/or disability [4,13,14]. The postnatal period is a critical phase in the lives of mothers and newborn babies [15,16]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
