title: Depression, anxiety, and perinatal-specific posttraumatic distress in mothers of very low birth weight infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the trajectories and determine the predictors of maternal distress defined as a continuous spectrum of symptomatology and elevated symptomatology, of depression, anxiety, and perinatal-specific posttraumatic stress (PPTS), in mothers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants throughout the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) hospitalization.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-nine mothers completed psychological questionnaires within the first month of their infant's NICU hospitalization and again 2 weeks before NICU discharge. Multiple regression models determined maternal psychological, reproductive, sociodemographic, and infant medical predictors of maternal distress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Perinatal-specific posttraumatic stress remained stable throughout the NICU hospitalization, whereas other aspects of distress declined. Previous psychological history and infant medical variables predicted higher PPTS but no other aspects of distress. Reproductive variables predicted anxiety and PPTS; history of fetal loss initially predicted lower PPTS but throughout hospitalization primipara status emerged as a predictor of higher anxiety and PPTS. Sociodemographic variables predicated initial, but not later, depressive distress.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Psychological screening is important in the NICU. The PPTS profile suggests it may require distinct treatment. Primiparas should be targeted for intervention.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Pediatrics and Behavioral Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; †College of Nursing, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL; ‡Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Greene
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rossman
authors.forename: Kousiki
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Patra
authors.forename: Amanda L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Kratovil
authors.forename: Judy E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Janes
authors.forename: Paula P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Meier
mesh_terms: D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D019052:Depression, Postpartum / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000523:psychology*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008016:Life Change Events; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008425:Maternal Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D009034:Mother-Child Relations / Q000523:psychology; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011644:Puerperal Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires