Comparison of Maternal Attachment Level, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder, Anxiety and Depression Risk, and Related Factors in Mothers of Preterm Babies with Mothers of Term Babies

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this study is to compare the level of attachment, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, anxiety risk levels, and related factors in mothers with preterm infants followed in the neonatal intensive care unit and mothers who gave birth at term in the first six months. Materials and Methods: There were 72 mothers who gave birth prematurely and 66 mothers who gave birth at term included in the study. Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS), Perinatal Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Scale-II (PPQ-II), Maternal Attachment Inventory (MAI), and Parental Bonding Instrument (PBI) were filled in by the mothers. Results: The number of days after birth was 76.79±43.01 in preterm babies and 78.57±36.48 in term babies. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the days after birth (p=0.548). The mean maternal age of preterm babies was 29.36±6.17 years. There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the mean maternal age (p=0.717). In mothers who gave birth prematurely, the rate of having less than a high school education level was higher (p=0.036) and the monthly income level was lower (p=0.012). The mean scores of MAI (p=0.026), PPQ-II (p=0.018), and HADS depression scores were higher in mothers who gave birth prematurely (p=0.018). A significant negative correlation was found between PPQ-II and the baby’s birth weight (r=-0.186; p=0.029). A negative correlation was found between HADS depression scores and the birth week (r=-0.188; p=0.027), baby’s birth weight (r=-0.262; p=0.002), maternal age (r=-0.190; p=0.025), maternal education level (r=-0.227; p=0.007) and monthly income level (r=-0.168; p=0.049). Conclusion: Our study provides important data that the risk level of PTSD and depression is high in mothers who gave birth prematurely, and factors such as maternal age, education level, socioeconomic level, birth week, and baby’s weight are associated with these risks. It is also noteworthy that the level of attachment to the baby is higher in mothers who gave birth prematurely. Our results emphasize the importance of investigating the psychological reactions of mothers in the early postpartum period, receiving post-natal support, and having a social worker and psychologist in neonatal intensive care units.