title: Factors Associated with Post-Traumatic Symptoms in Mothers of Preterm Infants.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Symptoms of post-traumatic distress in mothers of preterm infants have been a subject of mental health research. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of and risk factors associated with such symptoms in mothers of preterm infants in Taiwan.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study performed between January 1, 2010 and June 30, 2011. One hundred and two mothers of preterm infants born at less than 37 weeks gestation and with a subsequent neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay between 2005 and 2009 were recruited. Participants completed a demographic questionnaire, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) and the neuroticism subscale of the Maudsley Personality Inventory (MPI). The preterm infants' data were taken from medical records.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of symptoms of distress was 25.5% (26/102) in the participants. These symptoms were associated with previous miscarriages, preterm premature rupture of membranes, neurotic personality and depression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The experience of preterm birth and NICU hospitalization can be traumatic to mothers. Early support for mothers during the preterm infants' NICU stay and transition to home care are recommended.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Critical Care Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hua-Pin
authors.initials: HP
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pediatric, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jia-Yuh
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Taipei City Hospital, Zhong-Xing branch, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Yen-Hsun
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Center for Education and Research on Geriatrics and Gerontology, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chih-Jung
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Public Health and Institute of Public Health, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jing-Yang
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Department of Critical Care Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; School of Medicine, Chung Shan Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Pediatric, Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pen-Hua
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Chang Gung Medical Foundation, Chiayi Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, Taiwan; Chang Gung University, Tao-Yuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: hjcch@yahoo.com.tw.
authors.forename: Vincent Chin-Hung
authors.initials: VC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology