PTSS in fathers of very low birth weight infants. Version 1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Posttraumatic stress symptoms in fathers of very low birth weight infants two to four years postpartum
IRAS ID
161516
Contact name
Amy L Alexander
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of East Anglia
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 29 days
Research summary
This study aims to research whether fathers of very low birth weight (VLBW) infants experience post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) two to four years postpartum (following birth) as a result of the birth and hospitalisation in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of their child. Secondary research questions will explore fathers' experiences of anxiety and depression two to four years postpartum and the impact perceived social support at the time of the birth and hospitalisation of their child has on the above psychological symptoms.
To date there has been limited research investigating the possible psychological effects on fathers of having a VLBW infant. The neonatal care and duration of hospitalisation before discharge home required for VLBW infants (weighing <1500grams), the majority of whom are born preterm, is inevitably much greater than that of full-term infants (>37 weeks gestation). Previous research has found that mothers of VLBW infants experience significantly higher rates of PTSS compared to mothers of infants born at term (Ahlund, Clarke, Hill, & Thalange, 2009).
This study will compare the prevalence of self-reported PTSS and symptoms of depression and anxiety in fathers of VLBW infants cared for in the NICU with fathers of term infants. This study aims to replicate that of Ahlund et al. (2009), which investigated the prevalence of self-reported PTSS in mothers of VLBW infants at two to three years postpartum.
The study will recruit 36 fathers of VLBW infants and 36 fathers of term infants born and cared for at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. Postal questionnaires will be used to collect the data, questionnaires will take approximately 25 minutes of participants’ time.
Reference:
Ahlund, S., Clarke, P., Hill, J., & Thalange, N. K. S. (2009). Post-traumatic stress symptoms in mothers of very low birth weight infants 2-3 years post-partum. Archives of Women’s Mental Health, 12(4), 261–4.
REC name
London - Fulham Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
15/LO/0947
Date of REC Opinion
19 May 2015
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion