Understanding repetitive worries and responses in neonatal parents V1
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding repetitive worries and responses in parents of infants on a neonatal intensive care unit
IRAS ID
218866
Contact name
Fiona Challacombe
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Kings College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 28 days
Research summary
The current study aims to assess the prevalence, course and persistence of intrusive thoughts and related behaviours in the context of mothers and fathers who have an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and high dependency unit (HDU). No study has directly explored obsessive beliefs and symptomatology in this group. Research within this area has predominantly focused on the prevalence of depression and post-traumatic stress reactions. It would be reasonable to assume that repetitive thoughts of harm coming to the infant are common in this group and that they might be at higher risk of persistent anxiety. However, no study has directly explored obsessive beliefs and symptomatology in this group. Considering a possible increased prevalence in obsessive symptoms in the perinatal period and the interaction with important beliefs such as an inflated sense of responsibility, parents of NICU infants may be a group at particular risk of developing distressing obsessive symptoms. It remains crucial to address the discussed gaps in the current literature. Further understanding into the psychological impacts upon NICU parents could potentially help in terms of understanding their situation and help refine interventions and psychological support. A longitudinal observational design will be employed. The study is a non-randomised design and all parents of infants at Guys’ and St Thomas’s NICU and HDU will be eligible to take part, unless they are suffering from psychosis or drug and/or alcohol dependence. Participants will complete 5 self-report measures and a clinician administered questionnaire (estimated to take 60 minutes), at three different time points (Time 1:1-2 weeks post-natal; Time 2:4-6 weeks and Time 3:4-6 weeks after discharge from the unit). The project will be co-sponsored by Kings College London and Guys’ and St Thomas’s Foundation Trust.
REC name
London - City & East Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0869
Date of REC Opinion
12 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion