Parental Depression Symptoms at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge and Associated Risk Factors

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with parental depressive symptoms at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) discharge and determine the relationships between depressive symptoms, stress, and social support. Study design Parents participating in the Giving Parents Support trial (n=300) were surveyed before NICU discharge. Depressive symptoms, stress, and social support were assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CESD-10), Parental Stressor Scale:NICU (PSS:NICU), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS). Regression analyses examined relationships between depressive symptoms, stress, social support and parent/infant factors. Results At NICU discharge, 45% of parents reported depressive symptoms and 43% had elevated perceived stress. Increased odds of elevated depressive symptoms were associated with greater gestational age (GA) (p=0.02), female infants (p=0.02), and longer lengths of stay (p=0.045). Odds of depression were 7.87 (95% CI: 2.15-28.75) for parents of infants with GA ≥37 weeks compared with GA Conclusion Prevalence of depressive symptoms in parents at NICU discharge was high, even among parents of term infants. Greater GA, higher parental stress, and lower levels of social support were strong correlates of depressive symptoms. Strategies to support parents including depression screening, stress reduction strategies, and mental health referrals are needed.