Stress and anxiety among mothers of premature infants in a Malaysian neonatal intensive care unit

Ong, Swee Leong and Abdullah, Khatijah Lim and Danaee, Mahmoud and Soh, Kim Lam and Soh, Kim Geok and Japar, Salimah (2019) Stress and anxiety among mothers of premature infants in a Malaysian neonatal intensive care unit. Journal of Reproductive and Infant Psychology, 37 (2). pp. 193-205. ISSN 0264-6838, DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2018.1540861.

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Official URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/02646838.2018.1540861

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to determine maternal stress and anxiety as perceived by mothers whose premature infants were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to identify maternal stress and its relationship with maternal and infant characteristics and anxiety. Background: Vulnerable premature infants commonly require special care in the NICUs. In most cases, prolonged hospitalization results in stress and anxiety for the mothers. Methods: A non-probability convenience survey was used in a public hospital, with 180 mothers completing the 26-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and a 40-item State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI). Results: 56.5% of mothers had high levels of stress, 85.5% of mothers had a high level of state-anxiety and 67.8% of mothers had a high level of trait-anxiety. The stress experienced by these mothers had a significant relationship with anxiety, and was found to be associated with state and trait anxiety levels, but not with maternal and infant characteristics. Conclusion: Mothers in this setting revealed high levels of stress and anxiety during their premature infants’ NICU admission. An immediate interventional programme focusing on relieving mothers’ anxiety and stress is needed to prevent maternal stress and anxiety at an early stage. © 2018, © 2018 Society for Reproductive and Infant Psychology.

Item Type: Article
Funders: University Malaya [Postgraduate Research Grant (PPP) PG047-2014B]
Uncontrolled Keywords: Premature infant; neonatal intensive care unit; maternal stress; anxiety
Subjects: R Medicine
R Medicine > RT Nursing
Divisions: Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic & International) Office > Academic Enhancement and Leadership Development Centre (Adec)
Depositing User: Ms. Juhaida Abd Rahim
Date Deposited: 14 Feb 2020 03:09
Last Modified: 14 Feb 2020 03:09
URI: http://eprints.um.edu.my/id/eprint/23798

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