Maternal psychological adjustment to the birth of an infant weighing 1,500 grams or less

Guided by a transaclional stress and coping model, within-group processes associated with the psychological adjustment of 90 mothers with a very low birthweight infant (VLBW; ≤ 1,500 gms) were assessed. The rates of significant psychological distress varied from 48% at the time of birth, to 33% at 3 to 6 weeks postpartum, to 41 % at 6 months corrected age. Furthermore, there was only 53% stability in the classification of mothers as high or low distress across the three assessment times. There was also considerable change in processes hypothesized to mediate maternal adjustment. Over the course of their infant's first 6 months, mothers perceived less stress related to the infant but more stress associated with daily hassles and less family support and more conflict. In particular, support was provided for the mediational role of the stress of daily hassles, efficacy expectations, coping methods, and family functioning in maternal adjustments. © 1993 Ablex Publishing Corporation.

Duke Scholars

Author Robert J. Thompson Jr. Psychology & Neuroscience