Providing psychosocial support to parents whose infants are hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) can improve parents' functioning as well as their relationships with their babies. Yet, few NICUs offer staff education that teaches optimal methods of communication with parents in distress. Limited staff education in how to best provide psychosocial support to families is one factor that may render those who work in the NICU at risk for burnout, compassion fatigue and secondary traumatic stress syndrome. Staff who develop burnout may have further reduced ability to provide effective support to parents and babies. Recommendations for providing NICU staff with education and support are discussed. The goal is to deliver care that exemplifies the belief that providing psychosocial care and support to the family is equal in importance to providing medical care and developmental support to the baby.

Background Mothers of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at risk for clinically significant levels of depression and anxiety symptoms; however, the maternal/infant characteristics that predict risk have been difficult to determine. Previous studies have conceptualized depression and anxiety symptoms separately, ignoring their comorbidity. Moreover, risk factors for these symptoms have not been assessed together in one study sample. Objectives The primary aim of this study was to determine whether a diagnostic classification approach or a common-factor model better explained the pattern of symptoms reported by NICU mothers, including depression, generalized anxiety, panic, and trauma. A secondary aim was to assess risk factors of aversive emotional states in NICU mothers based on the supported conceptual model. Method In this cross-sectional study, a nonprobability convenience sample of 200 NICU mothers completed questionnaires assessing maternal demographic and infant health characteristics, as well as maternal depression and anxiety symptoms. Structural equation modeling was used to test a diagnostic classification model, and a common-factor model of aversive emotional states and the risk factors of aversive emotional states in mothers in the NICU. Results Maximum likelihood estimates indicated that examining symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders as separate diagnostic classifications did not fit the data well, whereas examining the common factor of negative emotionality rendered an adequate fit to the data, and identified a history of depression, infant illness, and infant prematurity as significant risk factors. Discussion This study supports a multidimensional view of depression, and should guide both clinical practice and future research with NICU mothers.

Objective Mothers of preterm infants in a hospital neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are at risk for clinically significant depression and anxiety but, for these women, their own treatment is likely a secondary priority. This study evaluated the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of an evidence-based, nurse-delivered, on-site depression treatment: Listening Visits. Study Design Therapeutic Listening Visits were delivered on site to 23 distressed mothers of NICU infants. The intervention was conducted by a neonatal nurse practitioner; and the outcome examined in an open-trial, pre-post evaluation. Results A part-time nurse practitioner delivered six Listening Visits to each participant within a one-month timeframe. Listening Visits were associated with significantly improved mood and well-being in mothers. The majority of eligible women took advantage of Listening Visits and felt satisfied with their care. Conclusions This open trial provides “proof of concept”, with results that warrant further evaluation in a multisite randomized controlled trial.

This article disseminates evidence and encourages scientific investigation into various methods of supporting emotional health of NICU parents to create better health outcomes.