Mastery of stress in mothers of preterm infants.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relationships among stress, social support, mastery, and depression.


METHODS
Descriptive correlational study.


METHODS
60-bed, Level 3 NICU in an urban medical center in a Mid-Atlantic state.


METHODS
31 mothers who delivered infants born between 26 and 36 weeks gestation. Inclusion criteria included no maternal illness or complications requiring hospitalization beyond four days, and no report of a recent major stressful life event other than the birth of the child.


METHODS
The Mastery of Stress Instrument, the Account of Social Resources Inventory, and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale.


RESULTS
Social support was positively related to mastery and inversely related to depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Mothers of preterm infants experienced significant levels of stress and depression in the early postpartum period.
Younger
J B
JB
Undergraduate Program, School of Nursing, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, USA. YOUNGER@GEMS.VCU.EDU
Kendell
M J
MJ
Pickler
R H
RH
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D003863:Depression / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008016:Life Change Events; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires