Disturbance in Parent‐child Relationship Following Preterm Delivery

Abstract

SUMMARY Increasing concern is expressed that the psychosocial development of preterm infants may be hindered by a disturbance of parental attitudes following the initial period of specialised care. Attitudes of parents of 17 preterm infants were compared with those of parents of 17 full‐term infants at a single semi‐structured interview six to 20 months after the birth. The groups of parents were matched for parity and did not differ in their social, ethnic and educational backgrounds. There was evidence of some disturbance in parent‐child relationships in the preterm group, consisting of delays in maternal attachment to the child, negative maternal perception of the child compared with expectation of an ‘average’ baby, and persistent parental anxiety about leaving the child with a baby‐sitter. In addition, two preterm children had been abused or neglected. Parental reaction to a preterm birth is discussed and the need for adequate support to be given to parents in the early period following the birth is stressed. résumé Perturbation dans les relations parents‐enfants, à la suite d' un accouchement prématuré On observe une prćupation croissante concernant la possibility d' une altération du développement psychosocial des prématurés par un trouble des attitudes parentales à la suite de la période initiale de soins spécialisés. Les attitudes des parents de 17 prématurés ont été comparées avec celles de parents de 17 nourrissons nés à terme, lors d' une entrevue unique semi‐dirigée, six à 20 mois après la naissance. Les groupes de parents étaient appariés pour la parité et ne différaient pas dans leurs caractéristiques sociales, ethniques et culturelles. II a été recueilli des indications de perturbations dans les relations parents‐enfant du groupe des prématurés, consistant dans un retard de l' attachement maternel a l'enfant, une perception maternelle négative de l' enfant confrontée avec l' espoir d' un enfant ‘moyen’ et une anxiété parentale persistante concernant le fait de quitter l' enfant. De plus, deux prématurée avaient été maltraités ou négligds. La réaction parentale à une naissance prématurée est discutée et le besoin d' une aide adéquate à donner aux parents dans la période initiale suivant la naissance est souligné. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG Störungen der Eltern‐Kind‐Beziehung nach vorzeitiger Entbindung Mit zunehmender Besorgnis wird darauf hingewiesen, daß die psychosoziale Entwicklung von zu früh geborenen Kindern gehemmt werden kann durch ein gestörtes Verhältnis der Eltern zu ihrem Kind bedingt durch die anfangliche Phase der Intensivbehandlung. Die Haltung von 17 Eltern zu früh geborener Kinder wurde mit der von 17 Eltern reif geborener Kinder anhand eines teilweise standardisierten Interviews sechs bis 20 Monate nach der Geburt verglichen. Die Gruppen waren nach den gleichen Kriterien ausgesucht und unterschieden sich nicht hinsichtlich ihres sozialen Standes, ihrer Herkunft und ihres Bildungsstandes. Bei der Gruppe der zu früh geborenen Kinder fanden sich Hinweise auf Störungen der Eltern‐Kind‐Beziehung...

Prevalence and risk factors for postpartum depression among women with preterm and low‐birth‐weight infants: a systematic review

“…Few infant‐related variables have been considered in the above‐mentioned meta‐analyses, yet childcare stress has been identified as having a moderate impact on PPD in one meta‐analysis, based on data from seven studies 7 . Despite the widely held belief that preterm birth is a stressful experience, 9–11 neither preterm birth nor low birth weight (LBW) have been examined in any of the published meta‐analyses.…”

Infants admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit: parental psychological status at 9 months

“…Research indicates that the mothers of premature or low birth weight infants experience more severe levels of psychological distress (1–3), and are at an increased risk of having relationship problems, family stress and financial problems (4,5), compared with mothers of term infants. The results of studies examining the outcome for parents after their infant has been discharged from a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are mixed.…”

Parental stress in the NICU: the influence of personality, psychological, pregnancy and family factors

“…A premature delivery, concern about the infant and uncertainty about the outcome are all potential sources of stress. Several studies indicate that compared to the parents of healthy infants, parents of preterm or low-weight infants experience higher levels of anxiety and depression (Brooten et al,increased risk of relationship problems, family stress and fi nancial problems (Jeffcoate, Humphrey & Lloyd, 1979a;Pedersen, 1994;Trause & Kramer, 1983). Despite their important role, a father's experience surrounding the birth of their premature or low-birth-weight infant has been much less researched.…”