Helping Parents Cope With the Trauma of Premature Birth: An Evaluation of a Trauma-Preventive Psychological Intervention

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether a trauma-preventive psychological intervention program for parents of premature infants during hospitalization in a level III NICU may reduce the severity of symptomatic response to the traumatic impact of premature birth. METHODS: Mothers of premature infants were enrolled consecutively in a sequential control group design. Intervention group mothers received a structured psychological intervention in the first days after birth. Each mother could make use of additional psychological support if required and was actively approached at critical times during her infant's NICU stay. Control group mothers did not receive psychological intervention but could ask for counseling by the hospital minister. At discharge, mothers of both groups answered a questionnaire covering key outcome variables (symptoms of traumatization, emotions at discharge, and sample and control variables). RESULTS: At discharge, intervention group mothers (N = 25) showed significantly lower levels of symptomatic response to the traumatic stressor "premature birth" than those in the control group (N = 25; mean overall symptom level 25.2 SD: 13.9 vs 37.5 SD: 19.2). CONCLUSIONS: This intervention program for parents after premature birth, combining early crisis intervention, psychological aid throughout the infant's hospitalization, and intense support at critical times, reduced the symptoms of traumatization relating to premature birth.