TY - JOUR
T1 - Interaction of child disability and stressful life events in predicting maternal psychological health. Results of an area-based study of very preterm infants at two years corrected age
AU - Cacciani, Laura
AU - Di Lallo, Domenico
AU - Piga, Simone
AU - Corchia, Carlo
AU - Carnielli, Virgilio
AU - Chiandotto, Valeria
AU - Fertz, Mariacristina
AU - Miniaci, Silvana
AU - Rusconi, Franca
AU - Caravale, Barbara
AU - Cuttini, Marina
PY - 2013
Y1 - 2013
N2 - This study aimed at exploring the relationship between severe neuromotor and/or sensory disability in very preterm infants assessed at 2 years corrected age and their mothers' psychological health. Data on 581 Italian singletons born at 22-31 weeks of gestation in five Italian regions and their mothers were analyzed. Maternal psychological distress was measured through the General Health Questionnaire short version (GHQ-12). The prevalence of any maternal distress (GHQ scores. ≥. 2) and of clinical distress (scores. ≥. 5) were 31.3% and 8.1% respectively. At multivariable analysis, we found a statistically significant association between child's disability and mothers' GHQ scoring ≥5 (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.07-11.15). Also lower maternal education appeared to increase the likelihood of psychological distress (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.14-1.66). The impact of child disability was weaker in women who had experienced additional stressful life events since delivery, pointing to the existence of a "ceiling" effect. Maternal psychological assessment and support should be included in follow-up programs targeting very preterm infants.
AB - This study aimed at exploring the relationship between severe neuromotor and/or sensory disability in very preterm infants assessed at 2 years corrected age and their mothers' psychological health. Data on 581 Italian singletons born at 22-31 weeks of gestation in five Italian regions and their mothers were analyzed. Maternal psychological distress was measured through the General Health Questionnaire short version (GHQ-12). The prevalence of any maternal distress (GHQ scores. ≥. 2) and of clinical distress (scores. ≥. 5) were 31.3% and 8.1% respectively. At multivariable analysis, we found a statistically significant association between child's disability and mothers' GHQ scoring ≥5 (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.07-11.15). Also lower maternal education appeared to increase the likelihood of psychological distress (OR 1.38, 95% CI 1.14-1.66). The impact of child disability was weaker in women who had experienced additional stressful life events since delivery, pointing to the existence of a "ceiling" effect. Maternal psychological assessment and support should be included in follow-up programs targeting very preterm infants.
KW - Follow-up
KW - Maternal distress
KW - Neurosensory disability
KW - Preterm birth
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.07.018
DO - 10.1016/j.ridd.2013.07.018
M3 - Article
C2 - 23920026
AN - SCOPUS:84882651472
VL - 34
SP - 3433
EP - 3441
JO - Research in Developmental Disabilities
JF - Research in Developmental Disabilities
SN - 0891-4222
IS - 10
ER -