The psychosocial functioning of mothers of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit in the north of Jordan

Abstract

The primary aim of this study was to assess the effect of admission of infants to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) on the psychosocial functioning of their mothers. The secondary aim was to compare the psychosocial functioning of the mothers of infants admitted to NICU and the mothers of infants born at term and not admitted to NICU. A total of 75 consecutive mothers of infants admitted to NICU and 75 consecutive mothers of infants born at term and not admitted to NICU were included in the study. Mothers completed State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Adults and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale in three large hospitals in Irbid, Jordan in the period between November 2010 and June 2011. The results showed that mechanical ventilation, lower birth weight and lower gestation age were predictors of higher anxiety level and depression among mothers of infants admitted to NICU. Both groups (mothers of infants admitted to NICU and mothers of infants born at term and not admitted to NICU) scored high in Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale.