Symptoms of Depression in Parents after Discharge from NICU Associated with Family-Centred Care

In 2018 to 2020, a multicentre cohort study was conducted in 23 NICUs across 15 countries. The aim of this study was to examine the potential association of family-centred care as perceived by parents during a NICU stay with parents’ depressive symptoms at discharge and at 4 months corrected for infant age. Parents (n = 635 mothers, n = 466, fathers) of infants (n = 739) born before 35 weeks of gestation and admitted to the participating NICUs were enrolled to the study during the first weeks of their infants’ hospitalisations. Parents’ perception of family-centred care in the NICU was assessed using the Digi-FCC (parent-version) tool with daily text messages and a questionnaire at discharge. Parent’s perception of depressive symptoms was also assessed using the Edinburgh Depression Scale: first at discharge and secondly when infants reached 4-months of corrected age. After controlling for gestational age, multiple birth, parent education and relationship status: an association was found between mothers’ and fathers’ perception of family-centred care, and their depressive symptoms at and after discharge. Parent perceptions of family-centred care was influenced by their ability to participate and make decisions about infant care, by the emotional support provided by staff members, and by other factors such as parental amenities and unlimited access for parents and significant others. Our study shows that family-centred NICU care associates with parents’ depressive symptoms after a NICU stay. Depression is common in parents of preterm infants. The provision of family-centred care may protect the mental well-being of parents of preterm infants.