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Aims and objectives:
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.
Design:
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 neona-
tal period.
Setting:
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 moth-ers. In the fathers, an Apgar test at 1 min after birth (p=.030) and a partner's
post-traumaticstress 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.
Conclusion:
Risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as coping strategies, differ
in women compare to men.
Relevance to clinical practice:
Knowledge of risk factors for post-traumatic stress disorder,
specific to men and women, may help identify the parents in whom probability of the occur-
rence of this disorder is increased.
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