The relationship between prematurity and maternal mental health during the first postpartum year

Worrall, Semra ORCID: 0000-0002-6587-9306, Silverio, Sergio A ORCID: 0000-0001-7177-3471 and Fallon, Victoria M ORCID: 0000-0002-7350-2568 (2023) The relationship between prematurity and maternal mental health during the first postpartum year Journal of Neonatal Nursing, 29 (3). pp. 511-518. ISSN 1355-1841

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Abstract

Studies concerning the effect of a premature birth on maternal mental health suggest symptoms of depression and anxiety are more prevalent in mothers of premature infants compared to mothers of term infants. However, most studies investigating depressive symptoms only relate to a few months postpartum, whilst no anxiety measures used have been postpartum-specific. Additionally, symptoms of anxiety and depression in mothers of extremely premature infants (<28 weeks’ gestation) are relatively understudied. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between early gestational age and symptoms of anxiety and depression, with a secondary emphasis on mothers of extremely premature infants. 225 mothers of infants aged between birth and 12 months completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale and the Postpartum Specific Anxiety Scale via an online questionnaire. Hierarchical regression models revealed that gestational age was associated with postpartum specific anxieties and was differentially associated with subscales of the PSAS. Furthermore, mothers of extremely premature infants experience specific subscales in the PSAS to a higher extent than mothers of term infants. There was no association between prematurity and depressive symptoms. These findings demonstrate the need for specific, targeted interventions for mothers of premature infants.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	3213 Paediatrics, 4204 Midwifery, 32 Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, 42 Health Sciences, Brain Disorders, Behavioral and Social Science, Pediatric Research Initiative, Maternal Morbidity and Mortality, Infant Mortality, Women's Health, Mental Health, Mental Illness, Perinatal Period - Conditions Originating in Perinatal Period, Clinical Research, Depression, Maternal Health, Mental health, Reproductive health and childbirth, 3 Good Health and Well Being
Divisions:	Faculty of Health & Life Sciences Faculty of Health & Life Sciences > Inst. Population Health
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	28 Nov 2022 11:17
Last Modified:	16 Jan 2026 07:06
DOI:	10.1016/j.jnn.2022.10.002
Open Access URL:	https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/...
Related Websites:	Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3166430
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