Maternal Mental Health and Engagement in Developmental Care Activities with Preterm Infants in the NICU

Objective: To examine associations between maternal mental health and involvement in developmental care in the NICU. Study Design: Mothers of infants born at <32 weeks gestation (n=55) were screened for anxiety, depression, and post traumatic stress disorder two weeks after admission. Mothers' frequency, rate, and duration of developmental care activities were documented in the electronic health record. Group differences between unscreened mothers, and mothers with and without elevated screener scores and developmental care measures were assessed. Results: 35% of screened mothers scored above the cutoff for clinical concern on [≥]1 screener. No significant group differences were identified for rates, frequency, or amount of overall developmental care, kangaroo care, or holding. Conclusion: Maternal mental health ratings did not relate to developmental care. Maternal developmental care engagement may not indicate mental health status. Universal screening for mental health disorders is required to accurately detect distress in mothers of hospitalized preterm infants.