Psychological Distress In Mothers Research Articles

Maternal distress during the COVID-19 outbreak: A socio-ecological perspective.

Mothers faced an increased risk of adverse mental health outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to other populations. However, there is little data on the factors that placed mothers at increased risk of distress. The present study explored a range of individual, familial, and environmental factors associated with psychological distress in mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. This repeated cross-sectional study was composed of a convenience sample of mothers who completed an online survey that included a demographic questionnaire, an emotion regulation questionnaire, and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress scale. The survey was administered during the second and third lockdowns in Israel in 2020-2021. The study included 575 mothers (M age = 39). The findings of a hierarchical regression indicated that individual-level factors, composed of age and emotion regulation tendencies predicted psychological distress. The family-level factors of household income and number of children in the family also predicted distress. In terms of environmental-level factors, COVID-19-related media consumption and school status (open or closed) were also significant predictors of psychological distress. Importantly, the results showed that the most important predictors of psychological distress in mothers during the COVID-19 outbreak were school closures, household income, and the use of adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies. The findings highlight the intersection of individual, familial, and environmental factors in mothers' mental health during crises.

Insights into the emotional grounds of diverse parenting experiences: risk and protective factors of psychological distress in mothers of children with autism, Down syndrome, and typical development

Objectives The present study aimed to investigate the role of parental self-efficacy, parental stress, perceived child performance, perceived medical support, and perceived social support in predicting psychological distress among mothers of typical children, children diagnosed with ASD, and children diagnosed with Down syndrome. Methods The sample consisted of 375 Romanian mothers (age range: 22 to 67, M = 40.35, SD = 7.64) of children with autism (N = 134), Down syndrome (N = 78), or no diagnosis, i.e. typical children (N = 163). Participants completed self-reporting scales measuring the variables of interest using a web-based approach. Results The findings indicated that, regardless of the mother’s status (child with autism/Down syndrome/no diagnosis), psychological distress was significantly predicted by parental stress. Also, the mothers of children with ASD reported significantly higher psychological distress than those of children diagnosed with Down syndrome. Conclusions Mothers of children diagnosed with ASD might be particularly vulnerable to experiencing significant levels of psychological distress. In this regard, the development of parental self-efficacy and reduction of parental stress through interventions might contribute to improving the mental well-being of parents of children with special needs.

Psychological distress in mothers of teenagers with cancer

The current study aims to determine the level of psychological stress experienced by mothers of teenagers with cancer, as well as their coping strategies in dealing with this challenging situation. To test the hypothesis, we applied a semi-structured clinical interview guide developed by the researcher and tested the Perceived Stress Scale for Feinstein et al. with the case. After analysing and discussing the results, it was found that the case experienced a high level of perceived psychological stress.

Mother-Father Differences in Risk Factors for Postnatal Psychological Distress: Results from the German SKKIPPI Cohort Study

The postnatal period is a potentially vulnerable time for families and can be associated with psychological distress in mothers and fathers. The aim of this analysis was to identify mother-father differences in symptoms of postnatal psychological distress and their risk factors. Cross-sectional screening data for postnatal psychological distress included postnatal depressive (PDS), anxiety (PAS), and obsessive-compulsive symptoms (POCS). Using baseline data of 4984 mothers and 962 fathers from the German SKKIPPI cohort study, we conducted an explorative multilevel logistic regression. Mothers were more likely than fathers to report PAS (OR 1.55, 95% CI: 1.00–2.41, p = 0.051) and POCS (1.38, 1.03–1.83, p = 0.029) but not PDS (1.15, 0.76–1.74, p = 0.509). Risk factors associated with psychological symptoms in mothers and fathers were life stressors, history of mental illness, and unsuitable pregnancy timing. Most risk factors were similar in mothers and fathers. However, relationship problems, having a child with a serious illness or disability, and the receipt of state payments seemed to have greater impact on fathers for some outcomes. These associations require further attention by researchers and should be considered by practitioners in the management of postnatal mental health. The SKKIPPI study has been registered in the German Clinical Trial Registry on February 8th, 2019 (DRKS-ID: DRKS00016653).

Mental Health of Breastfeeding Mothers during COVID-19 Pandemic

Background: The current widespread COVID-19 outbreak has been linked to psychological distress and increased mental health symptoms including depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder diagnoses in during the postpartum period. The psychological distress in mothers during the postpartum period can have negative consequences for both the mother and the baby. One of negative effect could be an obstacle to optimal breastfeeding. Purpose: This scoping review aims to provide the generate overview and present the results of previous studies related to the mental health of breastfeeding mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This study was carried out using a scoping review approach in accordance with the Arksey and O'Malley’s framework. The search strategy used the keywords that related to the PEOS framework. Databases included PubMed, Wiley Online Library, ScienceDirect, and Embase. The authors also appraised the article's quality by critical appraisal tool. Results: The most of the research was conducted in developed countries (75%). The method of that articles used quantitative method of 17 articles (85%), qualitative method 2 articles (10%) and mixed method 1 article (5%). Based on an analysis of 20 articles, three themes were obtained, namely mental health issues in breastfeeding mothers, factors affecting mental health during COVID-19, the impact of poor mental health in breastfeeding mothers. Conclusion: The Global outbreaks or pandemics have an impact including in breastfeeding mothers. Breastfeeding mothers feel that during the COVID-19 they are experiencing psychosocial problems due to internal and external factors that can influence the mother's decision to provide exclusive breastfeeding.

Prevalence Of Psychological Distress At Different Stages Of Caregiving Trajectory Among Mothers Of Children With Neurodevelopmental Disorders In India: A Case-Control Study

Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) such as autism spectrum disorders (ASD), intellectual disability (ID) requires constant support and care. In most cases mothers are the primary caregivers for the children with NDD. Due to constant and prolonged caregiving, they may experience or develop psychological distress. However, the prevalence of psychological distress among the mothers of children with NDD particularly in India remains understudied. In this study, we aimed at deriving the prevalence rate of psychological distress among these mothers and also to study the differences in psychological distress in mothers of children with NDD, mothers of typically developing child (TD), mothers of children with NDD who are at different stages of caregiving trajectory and also based on other demographic characteristics. A total of 204 participants who met the recruitment criteria for the study were assessed using General Health Questionnaire -28. The participants were grouped on the basis of their child diagnosis, the group size are as follows: n1 (ASD) = 51, n2 (ID) = 53, n3 (TD) = 100. The control group i.e., mothers of typically developing children were socio-demographically matched (in terms of mother’s age, child age). The findings revealed no significant differences in the scores of GHQ among the mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability, yet it indicated higher level of prevalence rates of psychological distress for mothers with ASD than ID. As hypothesized, there were significant differences in psychological distress among mothers of children with NDD and typically developing children. Also, younger mothers and mothers caring for younger children were experiencing marked level of psychological distress. The implications are discussed in the light of policy making, shift in treatment approach involving family-based interventions etc.,

Do the Temperamental Characteristics of Both Mother and Child Influence the Well-Being of Adopted and Non-Adopted Children?

(1) Background: For decades, the temperaments of infants and small children have been a focus of studies in human development and been seen as a potential contributor to children’s developmental patterns. However, less is known about the interplay between the temperamental characteristics of mothers and their children in the context of explaining variations in developmental outcomes. The aim of our study was to explore the associations—with or without genetic links—of the temperaments and psychological distress of mothers and the temperaments of children with behavioral problems in a group of internationally adopted children and their adoptive mothers and in a group of non-adopted children and their mothers. (2) Methods: Data (n = 170) were derived from the ongoing Finnish Adoption (FinAdo) follow-up study. The children included were under the age of 7 years; 74 were adopted internationally through legal agencies between October 2010 and December 2016, and the remaining 96 were non-adopted children living with their birth parents (biological group) recruited from day-care centers. We used Mary Rothbart’s temperament questionnaires to assess temperament, the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) to obtain data on the children’s behavioral/emotional problems and competencies, and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) to assess parental psychological distress. The study was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Hospital District of Southwest Finland, and written informed consent was obtained from the parents and the children themselves. (3) Results: The negative affectivities of both mothers and children were associated with the total CBCL and with both internalizing and externalizing problem behaviors after adjusting for age, gender, and adoption status. Both relationships remained significant when tested simultaneously, suggesting additive effects. Maternal negative affect was associated with problem behavior irrespective of child extraversion/surgency. Child extraversion/surgency was associated with lower levels of all internalizing behavioral problems when adjusted for maternal sociability. Child negative affect was associated with all behavioral problem measures irrespective of maternal sociability or maternal psychological distress. Maternal distress was associated with child problem behaviors only in children with low extraversion/surgency. (4) Limitations: The sample size was relatively small, and the information was gathered solely with questionnaires. (5) Conclusions: The results of the study may be clinically significant. Child negative affect, maternal negative affect, and maternal experienced distress, combined with low child extraversion/surgency, may increase the risk of child problem behaviors in both adoptees and non-adoptees.

Fear of cancer recurrence as a pathway from fatigue to psychological distress in mothers who are breast cancer survivors.

Fatigue is prevalent and pervasive among breast cancer survivors. Mothers are particularly susceptible to fatigue due to the ongoing demands of their caring role. While fatigue has been associated with psychological distress in prior research, the pathway by which fatigue translates into psychological distress is unclear. Given the theoretical and empirical links between fatigue, fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and psychological distress, the role of FCR in mediating the relationship between fatigue and psychological distress in mothers who are breast cancer survivors was investigated. Ninety-two mothers who were breast cancer survivors completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale, PROMIS-Cancer Fatigue Short Form and Concerns About Cancer Recurrence scale in an online survey. Mediation analysis via PROCESS was used to examine whether fatigue predicted depression, anxiety or stress through FCR. Fear of cancer recurrence mediated the relationships between fatigue and anxiety and fatigue and stress, while fatigue directly predicted depression. This study highlights FCR as a potential pathway to anxiety and stress in response to ongoing fatigue, and as a mechanism of action to reduce psychological distress among mothers who are breast cancer survivors. Future research examining this pathway from fatigue to psychological distress should also explore the nature of mothers' fears about their cancer recurring.

The spectrum of attitudes towards the spectrum of autism and its relationship to psychological distress in mothers of children with autism.

Mothers of children on the autism spectrum experience high levels of emotional distress. Mothers cope with stress by having their own thoughts and opinions about their children. In this study, we tested whether the way mothers perceive autism may contribute to the level of distress they feel. Some mothers see autism as a developmental disorder that needs to be cured, but some see autism as a type of mind that needs to be accepted. Our findings showed that mothers who see autism more as a type of mind are generally less stressed. But we also showed that it matters how severe are the child's symptoms, and how heavy was the perceived burden of caring for the child. These results imply that it is worth working on attitudes towards autism to help mothers cope better. But at the same time, we argue that mothers should not be judged for their perceptions of autism, as there is a huge spectrum of a child's characteristics and family's life circumstances.

Building a Predictive Model of Social-Emotional Adjustment: Exploring the Relationship between Parenting Self-Efficacy, Parenting Behaviour and Psychological Distress in Mothers of Young Children in Ireland.

The purpose of this study was to generate greater understanding of social-emotional difficulties in infants and toddlers in an Irish context. This study compared rates of reported social-emotional difficulties in young children in clinical and non-clinical samples and probed a predictive model of social-emotional adjustment. Data were collected from a cross-sectional sample of 72 mothers of young children aged between 12 and 48 months. Mothers were recruited from waiting lists for child Early Intervention services (clinical sample) and community mother-toddler groups (non-clinical sample). Mothers completed a questionnaire battery which assessed parenting self-efficacy, parenting behaviour, psychological distress and child social-emotional adjustment. The results indicated that 55.5% of young children in the clinical sample and 15% in the non-clinical sample had significant social-emotional problems. Similarly, 55.5% of young children in the clinical sample and 30% in the non-clinical sample had significant delays in the acquisition of social-emotional competencies. Two hierarchical multiple regressions were carried out with social-emotional problems and social-emotional competencies as the respective criterion variables. Clinical or non-clinical group membership, parenting satisfaction and maternal psychological distress were found to be significant predictors of child social-emotional problems in a model which explained 59% of the variance. Task-specific self-efficacy was the only significant predictor of child social-emotional competencies in a model which explained 21% of the variance. The significant rates of social-emotional problems in young children in the current study and the potential negative impact on child health and wellbeing, suggest that the early assessment of social-emotional adjustment should be incorporated into routine clinical assessment for young children. For services to effectively meet the needs of children with social-emotional difficulties and their families, consideration of maternal factors is also necessary.

The Effect of Cognitive-emotional Intervention on Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Cancer

Background: It is important to address the problems of parents of children with cancer to reduce the negative consequences, especially in mothers as primary caregivers. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the effect of cognitive-emotional intervention on the psychological distress of mothers of children with cancer in the chemotherapy ward. Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted on 100 mothers of children with cancer who presented to the chemotherapy ward of the hospitals affiliated to Zahedan University of Medical Sciences in 2018. The eligible mothers were chosen conveniently and then randomly assigned to intervention and control groups. Mothers in the intervention group received five sessions of cognitive-emotional intervention, two sessions per week. Each session took about 60 to 90 minutes on average per group. Before and sixteen weeks after the end of the intervention, data were collected using the Kessler Psychological Distress scale (K-10). The data were analyzed using SPSS 21 utilizing statistical tests, including independent and paired t-tests, Chi-square, and covariance analysis. Results: Although there was no difference in the mean score of psychological distress before the intervention (P = 0.5), but the results showed that the mean score of psychological distress of mothers of children with cancer after cognitive-emotional intervention was significantly lower in the intervention group (6.16 ± 3.40) than the control group (16.84 ± 6.67) (P = 0.001). Conclusions: Cognitive-emotional intervention had a significant positive effect on reducing psychological distress in mothers of children with cancer. Such interventions are recommended for parents, especially mothers in the chemotherapy ward.

COVID-19 Impacts on Perinatal Care and Maternal Mental Health: A Geotemporal Analysis of Healthcare Disruptions and Emotional Well-Being Across the United States

Background: Adequate perinatal care is essential for maternal and infant health. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is potentially the largest natural disruption to perinatal care in recent history, but these disruptions have yet to be characterized in a rigorous and systematic manner. Our goal was to document COVID-19 induced disruptions to perinatal care across the United States (US) using analyses sensitive to the temporal and geographical variability of the pandemic, and to examine the impact of these healthcare disruptions on maternal mental health.Methods: We performed an observational cross-sectional study of 1,922 postpartum and 3,868 pregnant individuals during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. Perinatal individuals were recruited from 15 academic institutions across the US, resulting in a geographically diverse sample. We conducted (1) descriptive analyses on the prevalence and timing of perinatal care disruptions, (2) group difference analyses to compare perinatal care disruptions depending on when and where individuals gave birth, (3) cross correlations to assess the temporal linkage between perinatal care disruptions and COVID-19 infection rates, and (4) hierarchical linear regressions to evaluate the impact of prenatal care and birth protocol disruptions on maternal psychological health.Findings: The COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered perinatal care across the US, both through restriction of in-person support and by shifting the focus of care. These changes occurred unevenly over time and across geographic locations. Changes in COVID-19 infection rates explained 65 to 78% of the variance in perinatal care disruptions from August 2019 to August 2020. Moreover, disruptions to perinatal care were robustly associated with heightened psychological distress in mothers, even after controlling for mental health history, number of pregnancy complications, and general stress about the COVID-19 pandemic.Interpretation: Our analyses reveal widespread disruptions to perinatal care across the US that fluctuated depending on where and when individuals gave birth, demonstrating reactivity and elasticity of the US healthcare system. In addition to influencing health outcomes, disruptions to perinatal care may also exacerbate mental health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic.Funding Information: This research was supported by the NYU COVID-19 Research Catalyst rant, R34DA050287-S1, R34DA050287-S2, R34DA050254-01S2, R01MH126468, R01MH125870, the Nathaniel Wharton Fund, the Columbia University Population Research Center, R34DA050255, R34DA050255-01S2, the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC, the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences of the National Institutes of Health under Award Numbers UL1TR003015 and KL2TR003016, the University of Utah Center for Clinical and Translational Science COVID-19 Research Award, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing Internal Grants Program, Sarah P. Farrell Legacy Research Endowment-Virginia Commonwealth University, 5R03HD096141-02, R01HD085990, R34DA050283-01S2, the USC Center for the Changing Family, the Stanford Institute for Research in the Social Sciences, R34DA050291, R01MH119070, R01MH117177, R34 DA050272-01S1, R01 MH113883, R01 DA046224, R21 MH111978, and R21 HD090493, R37 MH10149, UH3OD023279, and National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences (NCATS) Grant UL1TR001881Declaration of Interests: The authors report no conflicts of interest.Ethics Approval Statement: This study has received Institutional Review Board approval from theNYU Langone Health IRB as well as the local IRBs at each data collection site. All data was collected in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration.

The Effectiveness of Resilience Training on Positive and Negative Affect and Reduction of Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children With Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

Background and Aim: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of resiliency training on positive and negative affect and reduce the psychological distress in mothers of children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Methods & Materials: The research method was semi-experimental with and pre-test, post-test design with the control group. The statistical population of this study included all mothers of children with ADHD in Tabriz in 2020, among which 30 were selected by convenience sampling method, were randomly assigned to experimental, and control groups. The research tools included the Positive and Negative Affect Scale and Anxiety, Depression, and Stress Questionnaires. Ethical Considerations: The Ethics Committee of the Islamic Azad University of Tabriz Branch approved this study (Code: IR.IAU.TABRIZ.REC.1398.062). Results: The results of 9 sessions with 90 minutes of group resilience training (taken from Henderson & Milstein, 2003) showed that resiliency training leads to an increase in positive affect and a decrease in negative affect, as well as a decrease in psychological distress in mothers of children with ADHD. Conclusion: These results suggest that resiliency education can be effective as an educational-therapeutic approach to increase positive emotions and decrease negative emotions and mental disorders in mothers of children with childhood disorders.

فاعلية برنامج علاجى فى تخفيف الکدر النفسى لدى عينة من أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم

هدف البحث الحالى إلى التعرف على فاعلية برنامج علاجى فى تخفيف الکدر النفسى لدى عينة من أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم, تکونت عينة البحث من (خمسة) من أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم تعانين من الکدر النفسى وفقا لدرجاتهن على مقياس الکدر النفسى لدى أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم (إعداد/ الباحث)، وتراوحت أعمارهن ما بين (22-33) عاما بمتوسط عمرى قدره (26.8) عاما, وانحراف معيارى قدره (4.49), ويحصل أطفالهن على درجات مرتفعة على قائمة المظاهر السلوکية لأطفال الأوتيزم إعداد / هشام الخولى(2018). وأبانت نتائج البحث وجود فرق دال إحصائيا بين متوسطى رتب درجات القياسين القبلى والبعدى على مقياس الکدر النفسى لدى أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم لصالح القياس البعدى, وعدم وجود فرق دال إحصائيا بين متوسطى رتب درجات القياسين البعدى والتتبعى على مقياس الکدر النفسى لدى أمهات أطفال الأوتيزم. The Effectiveness of a Treatment Program on Reducing Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Autism Prepared by Abdul-Aziz Mohamed Abdul-Aziz PhD researcher Abstract: The current research aimed to identify the effectiveness of a Treatment Program on Reducing Psychological Distress in Mothers of Children with Autism. The research sample consisted of (five) mothers of Children with Autism who suffer from psychological distress according to their grades on the scale of psychological distress among mothers of children with Autism (preparation / researcher), and their ages ranged between (22-33) years with an average age of (26.8) years, a standard deviation of (4.49), and their children get high marks on the list of behavioral manifestations of children with autism by Hisham El-Khouly, 2018). The results of the research showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the average scores of the pre and post measurements on the psychological distress scale among mothers of children with autism in favoring the post assessment, and the absence of a statistically significant difference between the average scores of the pre-and-post measurements on the psychological distress scale among mothers of children with autism.

Posttraumatic growth as a buffer and a vulnerability for psychological distress in mothers who are breast cancer survivors

BackgroundThis study investigated the role of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in moderating the associations between parenting efficacy and psychological distress, and between fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and psychological distress, in mothers who are breast cancer survivors. MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, mothers who were breast cancer survivors (N = 91) completed the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Cancer-Related Parenting Self-Efficacy (CaPSE), Concerns About Cancer Recurrence (CARS) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory Short Form (PTGI-SF). Hierarchical multiple linear regressions and simple-slope tests were used to examine the main effects of the predictors (CaPSE and CARS) and moderator (PTGI-SF), and interaction effects of CaPSExPTGI-SF and CARSxPTGI-SF. The analyses were repeated for each outcome variable: Depression, Anxiety and Stress. ResultsHigher CARS significantly predicted higher Depression, Anxiety and Stress, and lower CaPSE significantly predicted higher Depression and Stress. Significant CaPSExPTGI-SF and CARSxPTGI-SF interactions predicted Depression. Simple-slopes tests indicated a significant positive association between CARS and Depression for mothers with high levels of PTG, but not with low levels of PTG. A negative association was indicated between CaPSE and Depression for mothers with low levels of PTGI-SF, though neither slope was significant. LimitationsOur results are only generalisable to mothers with similar socio-demographic backgrounds. ConclusionsPTG may serve as both a protective and a risk factor for depression in mothers who are breast cancer survivors. Debate remains whether PTG is best conceptualised as a perceived positive outcome or an ongoing coping mechanism in the face of parenting challenges and cancer-related threats such as FCR.

The association between executive functioning and parental stress and psychological distress is mediated by parental reflective functioning in mothers with substance use disorder.

Mothers with a substance use disorder (SUD) have been found to exhibit heightened experience of stress and deficits in executive functioning (EF) and in parental reflective functioning (PRF). Although experiences of stress, EF and PRF are important for caregiving capacities; no studies have explored associations between the phenomena in mothers with SUD. This study aimed to examine the association between EF (working memory, inhibition, and cognitive flexibility) and different forms of stress (parental stress, general life stress, and psychological distress) in 43 mothers with SUD with infants. We further aimed to investigate whether PRF had a mediating function between EF and the experience of stress. The mothers completed self‐report questionnaires regarding experiences of different types of stress, and we also used neuropsychological tests to assess EF and a semistructured interview to assess PRF. Results identified problems in EF were associated with higher parental stress and psychological distress but not with general life stress. Cognitive flexibility contributed uniquely to variance in parental stress, whereas working memory was a unique contributor to variance in psychological distress. PRF had a mediating function between EF and parental stress and between EF and psychological distress. Findings highlight the importance of considering individual differences in PRF when targeting EF in interventions trying to reduce the experience of parental stress and psychological distress in mothers with SUD.

Preterm Birth and Maternal Mental Health: Longitudinal Trajectories and Predictors.

To examine trajectories of psychological distress in mothers of children born very preterm (VPT, <30 weeks gestation) and full term from 2 to 13 years after the birth, and examine predictors of maternal psychological distress over time within the VPT group. Mothers of children born VPT (n = 159) and full term (n = 71) completed questionnaires assessing their psychological distress when their child was 2, 7, and 13 years of age. Mixed models were used to examine differences between groups in maternal psychological distress over time. Family social risk, child neonatal medial risk, child sex, multiple pregnancy, and child's neurodevelopmental impairment in early childhood were examined as potential predictors of maternal psychological distress within the VPT group. Mothers of children born VPT displayed elevated psychological distress compared with mothers of full-term children, and this difference was consistent over time. Higher family social risk was associated with elevated maternal psychological distress throughout childhood across all time-points. There was evidence that mothers of children at higher neonatal medical risk displayed increasing psychological distress over time. Mothers of children born VPT show prolonged psychological distress. Mothers from socially disadvantaged background and those whose child has neonatal medical complications may require extensive support to prevent prolonged psychological distress and promote optimal outcomes for children and families.

Impact of perinatal asphyxia on parental mental health and bonding with the infant: a questionnaire survey of Swiss parents

ObjectiveTo compare current mental health symptoms and infant bonding in parents whose infants survived perinatal asphyxia in the last 2 years with control parents and to investigate which sociodemographic, obstetric...

Prevalence and risk factors of postpartum depression among preterm infant mothers

IntroductionThe birth of a preterm infant evokes considerable psychological distress in mothers and is associated with an increased risk for postpartum depression.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of postnatal depression among preterm infant mothers and to identify highlighting associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical study, including 97 mothers of premature infants who presented to the outpatient unit of neonatology at the UH Hedi Chaker of Sfax in Tunisia. For each mother, we collected sociodemographic and obstetric data. We used the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) for screening postpartum depression.ResultsAverage age of mothers was 30.2 years. Average gestational age was 32.82 weeks. Almost all the mothers were married (99%), had a satisfactory couple relationship (93.7%), almost two thirds were multiparous (64.9%), and 77.3% gave birth by caesarean section. Prematurity was unexpected by 56.7% of women. Regarding newborns, digestive problems were noted in 25.8% of cases and sleep disturbances in 20.6% of them. Prevalence of depression in the population studied was 39.2%. It was significantly associated with unexpected prematurity (P &lt; 0.001), impaired couple relationship (P = 0.001), digestive problems (P = 0.013) and sleep disturbances (P = 0.002).ConclusionMothers of preterm infants seem to be particularly vulnerable to postpartum depression. Systematic screening for depressive symptoms in this obstetric population can help to have an optimal psychological outcomes for mothers and infants during a crucial period of development of mother–infant coregulation.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.

Assessment of maternal knowledge about infantile colic in Saudi Arabia.

IntroductionThe infantile colic is a difficult experience met by parents in the first few months of an infant’s life. This may lead to increased discomfort for infants as well as psychological distress for mothers. This study aimed at assessing the baseline knowledge of mothers in Saudi Arabia about infantile colic mainly in regard to the etiology and management.MethodsIn this cross-sectional study, a questionnaire was distributed among mothers in six primary healthcare centers (PHCC) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, during their visit for immunization clinics in 2016. The questionnaire consisted of two domains for determining the sociodemography characteristics and the maternal knowledge of participants about infantile colic. SPSS version 20 and chi-square test were used for data analysis.ResultsA total of 230 mothers completed the survey questionnaire. Of these, 208 participants were Saudis. The majority of the participants were in the age group of 18–29 years (42.6%). The average age of the infants in this study was found to be 5.75±4.26 months. Eighty percent replied that they did not have any previous knowledge of infantile colic; 42.6% mothers believed that the causes of infantile colic were unclear and might involve several factors; 36% of the participants perceived milk allergy as the attributing cause for infantile colic. The source of knowledge about infantile colic was mainly through experiences of dealing with previous siblings who have the same issue (34.4%); 27.4% of mothers prefer the use of herbal medicines to treat this condition.ConclusionsIt is recommended that health education needs to be provided to mothers at outpatient clinics during their antenatal hospital visits. This reduces the discomfort of infant and distress in mothers.