Treatment of Psychological Distress in Parents of Premature Infants

A preterm birth and its upending of expectations of a "normal" pregnancy and the birth experience can lead to very real psychological consequences for parents.

This volume delves into recent findings on the psychological effects of premature birth on parents, including the high prevalence of symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Individual chapters focus on maternal psychological distress as well as the commonly neglected issues that affect fathers.

Uniquely, this book outlines a comprehensive programmatic approach to psychological consultation in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), describing how to leverage common interventions, including trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy, in innovative ways to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

A discussion of vulnerable child syndrome underscores the implications of failing to address PTSD symptoms on parenting and child development and offers a parent-focused intervention to reduce unhealthy patterns of overprotective parenting.

With a complementary online individual treatment manual, this book is a necessary jumping-off point for those interested in developing an entire program of psychological services, from screening to intervention, in the NICU.