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. 2013 Apr-Jun;17(2):130–135.

Investigation of perceived social support in mothers of infants hospitalized in neonatal Intensive Care Unit

S Kara 1, S Tan 2, S Aldemir 2, AE Yılmaz 1, MM Tatlı 1, U Dilmen 3
PMCID: PMC3743616  PMID: 24376317

Abstract

Purpose: To identify the degree of perceived social support by mothers of infants hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and to investigate effects depression and anxiety levels on the perceived social support.

Method: The study included 50 mothers of infants hospitalized in NICU. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the mothers were collected using a personal data form designed by the study researchers via face-to-face interviews. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support Scale (MSPSS) was used to evaluate the degree of perceived social support by the mothers and Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) Scale was used to assess their anxiety and depression levels.

Results: The mean age of the mothers was 29.1 ± 4.2 years. There was a significant correlation between the scores of the anxiety and depression subscales (r=0.772; p<0.001), whereas these scores were not significantly correlated with MSPSS total score. The scores MSPSS subscales were significantly correlated with each other, as well as with MSPSS total score. Friend subscale score and depression subscale score were positively correlated with education level (r=0.295, p=0.038 and r=0.407, p=0.003, respectively). The family and spouse subscale scores and MSPSS total score were significantly higher assisted conception technique group compared with the spontaneous conception group (p=0.020, p=0.010 and p=0.016, respectively). The family and spouse subscale scores and MSPSS total score were significantly lower in the mothers with depression subscale score of ≥7 than in the mothers with depression subscale score of <7 (p=0.010, p=0.038 and p=0.018, respectively). In the linear regression model, only education level was found to be a significant factor affecting depression level (p=0.006).

Conclusion: The mothers of infants hospitalized in the NICU with higher education levels had higher depression level and perceived social support from friends. Informing the family members and providing psychological support independent from the duration of gestation are of paramount importance.

Keywords: Newborn, social support, depression, anxiety

Introduction

Having premature or severely ill infants may lead parents to experience negative feelings such as shock, grief, anxiety or guilt1-3. Anxiety constitutes one of the negative feelings most frequently experienced by the parents. Pregnancy, delivery, becoming parent, disease states, hospitalization, emotional loss, and economic problems are among the anxiety-provoking factors4. In addition, other anxiety-provoking factors include disease course of the babies, likelihood of losing the babies, strange hospital environment, and feeling loss of control4. The technological devices, and different sounds, and smells in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are likely to be perceived by parents as scary or even horrifying1,5. Parents of infants hospitalized in NICUs have a number of higher priority requirements compared with those of infants hospitalized in other units, including physiological requirements (eating, drinking, sleeping), communication, social support, trust, participation in the care of their infant, and being informed about health status of their infants, equipments used, routines of the unit, and their own roles6,7. Thus, parents are in need of support both from their social environment and from healthcare providers8.

Social support can be described as tangible and intangible benefits commonly provided upon a stressful condition on an individual by others9. People need relying on the other family members and friends in case of crisis and emotional stress. Release of information about health status of the infants, encouragement of participation in the care of the infants, and provision of emotional support by healthcare providers promote parents’ ability to cope with anxiety3,5. Bialoskurski et al8 stated that meeting all the requirements of mothers of infants hospitalized in NICUs was a prerequisite for achieving their well-being. Although there have been several studies conducted on the requirements of mothers of infants hospitalized in NICUs2,6,10, to the best of our knowledge, there are limited number of studies on this issue in Turkey. Accordingly, the aim of the present study was to identify the degree of perceived social support by mothers of infants hospitalized in NICU and to investigate effects depression and anxiety levels on the perceived social support.

Materials and methods

The present study included the mothers of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit of Zekai Tahir Burak Women’s Health Training and Research Hospital between June 2010 and December 2010 due to some reasons including prematurity, sepsis, pneumonia, and multiple pregnancy. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the mothers were collected using a personal data form designed by the study researchers via face-to-face interviews.

Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS)

MSPSS, which was developed by Zimet et al11 in 1988, is a straightforward and brief scale with 12 items designed to subjectively assess the sufficiency of perceptions about social support. The adaptation and validation of MSPSS in Turkish was performed by Eker et al12. The scale consists of 3 subscales, each composed of 4 items rated on a 7-point Likert-type scale. The subscales are family (3rd, 4th, 8th and 11th items), friends (6th, 7th, 9th and 12th items) and significant others (such as, spouses) (1st, 2nd, 5th and 10th items). The total score is obtained by simply summing all subscale scores; the possible range for total is 12 to 84. Higher total scores indicate higher levels of perceived social support, whereas lower total scores indicate either the support is not perceived, or a lack or scarcity of support.

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD)

HAD is a self-report scale designed to briefly measure anxiety and depression and widely used in hospital settings13. The scale is also used to address the anxiety and depression risks and to measure the level and severity of anxiety and depression. The scale was adapted and validated in Turkish by Aydemir et al14. In the present study, mothers with the anxiety subscale score of ≥10 were considered to have definite anxiety and with the depression subscale score of ≥7 were considered to have definite depression.

Statistical Analysis

Data analysis was performed using the MS Excel 2003 (Microsoft Corp., Redmond, WA) and the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) version 15.0. The normality of continuous variables was tested using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Descriptive statistics were expressed as numbers and percentages for categorical variables and as mean±standard deviation or median (minimum and maximum) for continuous variables. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to assess correlations between demographic characteristics and HAD and MSPSS subscale scores, between each subscale score of HAD or MSPSS scale, and between each subscale score of both scales and MSPSS total score. Kruskal-Wallis variance analysis was performed to compare HAD and MSPSS subscale scores in mothers grouped according to the birth weights of infants and to their education levels. Group differences were tested using the Mann-Whitney U test with Bonferroni correction. Comparison of the groups formed based on type of delivery and gestational duration were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Linear regression analysis was used to determine the factors affecting depression and anxiety levels of the mothers. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results

The present study included 50 mothers of infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. The mean age of the mothers was 29.1 ± 4.2 years (range 20-38 years). Demographic and clinical characteristics of mothers and infants are presented in Table 1. The median anxiety subscale score (8, range 0-17) was lower than the cutoff value of 10, whereas the median depression subscale score (10, range 1-17) was higher than the cutoff value of 7. No significant correlation was found between the scores of HAD and MSPSS subscales. There was a significant correlation between the scores of the anxiety and depression subscales (r=0.772; p<0.001), whereas these scores were not significantly correlated with MSPSS total score. The scores MSPSS subscales were significantly correlated with each other, as well as with MSPSS total score (Table 2).

Table 1. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the mothers.

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Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation, number (%) or median (minimum-maximum), where appropriate. HAD: Hospital Anxiety and Depression, MSPSS: Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

Table 2. Correlation between the scores of Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) subscales, between each subscale score of HAD or MSPSS scale, and between each subscale score of both scales and MSPSS total score.

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HAD: Hospital Anxiety and Depression, MSPSS: Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

Table 3 presents the correlation between the subscale scores of HAD and MSPSS, and MSPSS total score and age, education level, duration of gestation, birth weight and length of hospital stay. Friend subscale score was positively correlated with education level (r=0.295, p=0.038), whereas it was negatively correlated with duration of gestation (r=-0.321, p=0.023) and birth weight (r=-0.479, p<0.001). There was also a negative correlation between MSPSS total score and birth weight (r=-0.364, p=0.009). A positive significant correlation was determined between depression subscale score and education level (r=0.407, p=0.003). Moreover, depression subscale scores were significantly higher in the mothers graduated from high school and university as compared to those graduated from primary school (p=0.009 and p=0.005, respectively).

Table 3. Correlation between the scores of Hospital Anxiety and Depression subscale, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) subscales, and MSPSS total score and age, education level, duration of gestation, birth weight and length of hospital stay.

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HAD, Hospital Anxiety and Depression; MSPSS, Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

When the mothers were grouped according to the birth weights of their infants, 12 of 25 (48.0%) in 700-1499 g group, 6 of 13 (46.2%) in 1500-2499 g group, and 3 of 12 (25.0%) in 2500-3500 g group had an anxiety level of ≥10, with no significant difference (p=0.390). Eighteen mothers (72.0%) in 700-1499 g group, 8 mothers (61.5%) in 1500-2499 g group, and 10 mothers (83.3%) in 2500-3500 g group had a depression level of ≥7, with no significant difference (p=0.470). The distribution of subscale scores of HAD and MSPSS in mothers grouped according to the birth weights of infants is presented in Table 4. There were significant differences among birth weight groups in terms of the friend subscale and MSPSS total scores (p=0.004 and p=0.037, respectively). The friend subscale and MSPSS total scores were significantly higher in the 700-1499 g group than in the 1500-2499 g and 2500-3500 g groups (p=0.022 and p<0.001 respectively for friend subscale; p=0.025 and p=0.004 respectively for MSPSS total score).

Table 4. Distribution of subscale scores of Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support in mothers grouped according to the birth weights of infants.

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a p<0.05 for 700-1499 g group vs. 1500-2499 g group

b pp<0.01 for 700-1499 g group vs. 2500-3500 g group, HAD: Hospital Anxiety and Depression, MSPSS: Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support

When the mothers were grouped according to the type of conception, the family and spouse subscale scores and MSPSS total score were significantly higher in the assisted conception technique group compared with the spontaneous conception group (p=0.020, p=0.010 and p=0.016, respectively). The duration of gestation was longer in the mothers with anxiety subscale score of <10 than in the mothers with anxiety subscale score of ≥10 (p=0.047). The family and spouse subscale scores and MSPSS total score were significantly lower in the mothers with depression subscale score of ≥7 than in the mothers with depression subscale score of <7 (p=0.010, p=0.038 and p=0.018, respectively).

A model was developed to determine the factors including age, education level, duration of gestation, birth weight, length of hospital stay, and family, friend, and spouse subscales that could affect the depression level. Education level was found to be a significant factor (p=0.006). Another model was also developed to determine the factors including age, education level, duration of gestation, birth weight, length of hospital stay, and family, friend, and spouse subscales that could affect the anxiety level. None of these factors was found to be significant factor (Table 5).

Table 5. Linear regression analysis.

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Discussion

Major or minor disorders of children have been considered as stress-provoking events in mothers. Families face with various stressors especially following hospitalization of risky infants, which are likely to initiate major psychosocial changes in families15,16.

Keeping mothers out of NICUs during treatment and follow-up of their infants or not allowing mothers’ companion to their infants is considered quite stressful. There exist studies reporting high levels of state and unceasing anxiety experienced by mothers of babies received treatment in NICUs and clinical levels of emotional symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and dysphoria17,18. Previous studies also addressed that separation of a mother from especially a newborn provokes anxiety and despair in mothers19-21. In the present study, depression and anxiety levels of mothers of infants hospitalized in the NICU were investigated. The length of hospital stay of infants was 18.5 days (2-161 days), which did not correlate with the depression and anxiety levels of mothers.

Contrary to our expectation, a positive significant correlation was observed between the depression subscale scores and education level of the mothers. It was also noteworthy that the higher the educational level, the more support one received from her friends. This result contradicts with the finding implying that mothers more easily cope with the negative effects due to having a troubled child, showing less signs of stress22.

In the present study, the family and spouse subscale scores and MSPSS total score were significantly lower in the mothers with depression subscale score of ≥7 than in the mothers with depression subscale score of <7. A mutual and cyclic relationship is present between the perceived social support and depression. It is well known that lack of social support is likely to cause depression, and depression may further deteriorate the social relations of an individual, thus leading to reduction in social supports23. In the present study, the duration of gestation was lower in the mothers with anxiety subscale score of ≥10. Similarly, studies have stated that families of premature infants experience higher levels of depression secondary to increasing stress and anxiety during early postpartum period24-25. In studies from different countries, insufficiency in social support has been reported as one of the substantial factors increasing the risk for postpartum depression26-29. Particularly, weak family bonds have been identified as a significant factor increasing the risk for postpartum depression30,31.

In the present study, the friend subscale and MSPSS total scores were determined to be higher in the mothers of infants with low birth weights. Moreover, the family and spouse subscale scores and MSPSS total score were significantly higher in the mothers undergoing assisted conception, although their number was low, than those who conceived spontaneously, These results indicated that the social support was insufficiently provided to the mothers who conceived spontaneously or those of infants with normal birth weight. We are in the opinion that, enhanced perception of the problem by spouses and friends also promotes their sensitivities towards mothers, thus increasing the level of perceived social support in mothers. The literature has highlighted that insufficiency in the psychosocial and emotional supports during pregnancy are predictive for development of depression during both pregnancy and postpartum periods32,33. Moreover, depression and anxiety have been reported to increase the pregnancy and delivery complications, to exert detrimental effects on newborn health, and to cause premature birth, low birth weight and intrauterine growth retardation34.

Vital events, state anxiety and high levels of perceived stress have been reported to significantly shorten duration of gestation35,36. In the present study, as well, the duration of gestation was determined to be longer in the mothers experienced low level of anxiety. A study conducted in a similar manner concluded that vital events experienced throughout the pregnancy were associated with lower birth weight and that one unit increase in the pregnancy-associated anxiety level shortened the duration of gestation by three days37.

Previous studies have implied that the perceived social support from families and the environment promotes the quality of life and the well-being of patients38,39 and concluded that social support provided especially by families, spouses and healthcare providers has a significant effect on the prevention of postpartum depression40-42. The results of the present study conducted on the mothers of infants hospitalized in the NICU revealed that depression level and perceived social support from friends were higher in those with higher education levels. We are in the opinion that informing the family members and providing psychological support independent from the duration of gestation are of paramount importance.

Conflict of Interest

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

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