Cross-sectional study reveals high hope linked to greater optimism and lower depression in parents leaving the NICU, highlighting targets for post-discharge mental health support.
Objective This study aimed to explore levels of hope among parents of infants at the time of NICU discharge and to identify associations with parental, infant, and psychological factors. Study design In a single-center cross-sectional study (May 2023 to November 2024), parents of infants hospitalized for ≥ 24 h in a tertiary NICU completed the Herth-Hope-Index (HHI-D), the Optimism–Pessimism Short Scale (SOP-2), and the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4) at discharge. Multivariable linear regression examined associations between hope and parental or infant characteristics. Results In 138 mothers and 89 fathers, median HHI-D scores were similar (44.0). Most had high levels of hope (HHI-D > 36; 92%). Sixty-two percent were optimistic (SOP-2 ≥ 6) and 9% reported moderate to severe depressive symptoms (PHQ-4 ≥ 6). Higher hope was associated with greater optimism and fewer depressive symptoms in both mothers and fathers. Conclusion Identifying and supporting parents with low optimism or depressive symptoms may help maintain hope during transition home.
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Arnold et al. (2026) studied this question.
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