The Effect of Hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit on Maternal Stress and Attachment: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Environment Effect

Objective: This study investigated the effects of hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) due to congenital pneumonia (CP) on maternal stress and attachment, focusing on how the duration of invasive and noninvasive mechanical ventilation, length of NICU stay, and postpartum breastfeeding initiation time influence mother–infant attachment.

Methods: Conducted among 30 mothers of 3-month-old infants admitted to the NICU with CP and a control group (n=30), it analyzed the impact of medical intervention durations and breastfeeding initiation on maternal stress and attachment using statistical methods.

Results: The maternal stress in the NICU group was significantly higher than in the control group (P=.014). However, there was no significant difference between the groups in attachment scores (P=.141). The study revealed that longer invasive mechanical ventilation (P < .001) and NICU stay (P < .001) significantly increased maternal stress. Maternal stress (P < .001) and breastfeeding initiation time(P < .001) exhibit a negative correlation with attachment scores (P < .001).

Conclusion: It is crucial to implement interventions aimed at reducing maternal stress and fostering maternal–infant attachment for mothers of newborns admitted to the NICU. The sustained application of these interventions post discharge holds significance for the mental health of mothers and mother–infant attachment.

Cite this article as: Şahbudak B, Karabulut B. The effect of hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit on maternal stress and attachment: Neonatal intensive care unit environment effect. Alpha Psychiatry. 2024;25(3):344-349.