"Over the past year, I had the privilege of interviewing caregivers who bravely shared their stories about their experience in the NICU. In our study of over 1,000 parents from across the United States, those whose babies required NICU care were 74% more likely to experience a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder than those whose babies did not spend time in the NICU. And while there was resounding gratitude and joy that their little ones had survived, they also reported substantial struggles and grief postpartum."
"It drove home that the NICU is not just a hospital stay-it can shape a parent's emotional life long after the hospital exit. Recent research finds that mental health symptoms often persist after discharge, and that involvement in caregiving during the NICU stay predicts better well-being months and years down the line. And while conversations are just starting to get more visible, thanks to advocates, research has documented the emotional toll of NICU experiences on caregivers for over a decade."
Parents of infants who require NICU care face elevated risk for perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, with NICU parents 74% more likely to experience such conditions. NICU experiences generate fear, powerlessness, and exclusion, and parents commonly report trauma, grief, and persistent mental health symptoms after discharge. Active parental involvement in caregiving during the NICU stay predicts better emotional outcomes months and years later. Fathers also face under-recognized risks of PTSD and depression. Early mental health screening, family-centered NICU practices, and accessible postpartum support can improve parent well-being and mitigate lasting psychological harm.
Read at Psychology Today
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