Interaction of child disability and stressful life events in predicting maternal psychological health. Results of an area-based study of very preterm infants at two years corrected age.
This study aimed at exploring the relationship between severe neuromotor and/or sensory disability in very preterm infants assessed at 2 years corrected age and their mothers' psychological health. Data on 581 Italian singletons born at 22-31 weeks of gestation in five Italian regions and their mothers were analyzed. Maternal psychological distress was measured through the General Health Questionnaire short version (GHQ-12). The prevalence of any maternal distress (GHQ scores ≥ 2) and of clinical distress (scores ≥ 5) were 31.3% and 8.1% respectively. At multivariable analysis, we found a statistically significant association between child's disability and mothers' GHQ scoring ≥ 5 (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.07-11.15). Also lower maternal education appeared to increase the likelihood of psychological distress (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.14-1.66). The impact of child disability was weaker in women who had experienced additional stressful life events since delivery, pointing to the existence of a "ceiling" effect. Maternal psychological assessment and support should be included in follow-up programs targeting very preterm infants.
Regional Health Agency of Lazio, Via di S. Costanza 53, 00198 Rome, Italy. Electronic address: cacciani@asplazio.it.
Laura
L
Cacciani
Domenico
D
Di Lallo
Simone
S
Piga
Carlo
C
Corchia
Virgilio
V
Carnielli
Valeria
V
Chiandotto
Mariacristina
M
Fertz
Silvana
S
Miniaci
Franca
F
Rusconi
Barbara
B
Caravale
Marina
M
Cuttini
D000328:Adult; D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D019988:Children with Disabilities / Q000523:psychology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development / Q000523:psychology*; D008016:Life Change Events; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
Follow-up; Maternal distress; Neurosensory disability; Preterm birth