Investigation of parents with high-risk infant on participation in care, depression, quality of life, and anxiety according to the infant's severity of neurologic impact

Aim: The study aims to examine the psychological consequences such as anxiety levels, quality of life, depression, and participation in the care of parents with high-risk infants who have varying levels of neurological impact severity. Material and Methods: Forty high-risk infants and their mothers were included in the study. The infants were divided into three groups according to the Dubowitz Neurologic Assessment Scale. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), Quality of Life Short Form 36 (SF-36), and the NICU Care Participation Scale were administered. Results: There were significant differences in the mothers' anxiety and depression levels (p < 0.001) and many parameters of quality of life according to the severity of neurological impact. However, it was determined that the severity of the neurological impact did not affect the mothers' participation in care (p > 0.01). Discussion: Although our study revealed that parents' depression, anxiety, and quality of life levels changed according to the severity of neurological impairment in high-risk infants, care participation was not affected. The limited sample size and the inability to generalize the results to different cultural and socioeconomic groups are important limitations. Nevertheless, it can be concluded that the medical condition of the newborn seriously affects the mental health of the parents.