Psychological well-being, positive changes in outlook and mental health in parents of sick newborns

Abstract

Objective: This study of parents of sick newborns (1) examined the relationship between psychological well-being and mental health, (2) determined if stress-related growth had a direct relationship with mental health and/or moderated the relationship between psychological well-being and mental health, and (3) explored these relationships for intrapersonal, interpersonal and sex interaction effects. Background: The hospitalisation of a sick newborn can have negative and positive effects on parents’ mental health. Previous research has shown that mothers who report finding benefits from their adversity and mothers who perceive they have some control over their newborn’s outcome have more positive mood and less posttraumatic intrusive thoughts and avoidance behaviours. Method: Psychological well-being, positive changes in outlook and mental health were measured in 56 mother-father dyads. Results: Psychological well-being predicted mental health more strongly than positive changes in outlook and explained 20% and 18% of the variance in mental health in mothers and fathers, respectively. After controlling for the effect of psychological well-being, positive changes in outlook did not make a significant contribution to the variance in mental health in mothers or fathers. However, positive changes in outlook moderated the relationship between psychological well-being and mental health, particularly in mothers but also in fathers. None of the partner effects was significant. There were no significant sex interactions. Conclusion: Psychological well-being predicted mental health in the mothers and fathers of sick newborns and positive changes in outlook was an important moderator of the relationship.