title: Risk factors for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder and coping strategies in mothers and fathers following infant hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to identify the potential risk factors for the development of post-traumatic stress disorder in mothers and fathers following infant hospitalisation in the neonatal intensive care unit.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  The development of neonatal intensive care units has increased the survival rate of infants. However, one of the major parental problems is post-traumatic stress disorder.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study covered 125 parents (72 mothers and 53 fathers) of infants aged 3-12 months who were hospitalised in the neonatal intensive care unit during the neonatal period.
  
  
  METHODS
  Third-referral neonatal intensive care unit. Several standardised and self-reported research tools were used to estimate the level of post-traumatic stress symptoms (Impact Event Scale-Revised), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and coping strategies (COPE Inventory). The respondents also completed a Parent and Infant Characteristic Questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mothers and fathers did not differ in their parental and infant characteristics. Post-traumatic stress disorder was present in 60% of the mothers and 47% of the fathers. Compared to the fathers, the mothers felt greater stress (p = .020) and presented a higher severity of post-traumatic stress disorder (p < .001). Previous miscarriages (p = .023) and the presence of chronic diseases (p = .032) were risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder in the mothers. In the fathers, an Apgar test at 1 min after birth (p = .030) and a partner's post-traumatic stress disorder (p = .038) were related to post-traumatic stress disorder. The mothers compared to the fathers were more likely to use strategies such as: positive reinterpretation and growth, focusing on and venting of emotions, instrumental social support, religious coping and acceptance. In the fathers, the predictors included an Apgar score at 1 min after birth, a lack of congenital anomalies in the child and mental disengagement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as coping strategies, differ in women compare to men.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder, specific to men and women, may help identify the parents in whom probability of the occurrence of this disorder is increased.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Aftyka
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Unit, Medical University of Lublin, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.|Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Pediatric University Hospital of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Beata
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3399-9194
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rybojad
authors.affiliation: Department of Applied Mathematics, Lublin University of Technology, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Rosa
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wróbel
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neuropsychiatry, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.|Ist Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Karakuła-Juchnowicz
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D005220:Fathers / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012307:Risk Factors; D057566:Self Report; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012944:Social Support; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: father; mother; neonatal intensive care unit; neonate; post-traumatic stress disorder