RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Mothers of infants with congenital heart disease are at risk for depression. OBJECTIVES: This study explored the influence on maternal depressive symptoms of several known factors for mothers in the pediatric cardiac intensive care unit, including perceived stressors, attachment, and anxiety. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of 30 mothers of infants awaiting cardiac surgery. Linear regressions were calculated to determine the relationships between perceived stressors, maternal attachment, anxiety, and maternal depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Nearly half of mothers reported depressive symptoms above the measure cut-off score, indicating they were at risk for likely clinical depression. Subscales of perceived stress explained 61.7% of the variance in depressive symptoms (F = 11.815, p<0.0001) with parental role alteration subscale as the strongest predictor (standardized beta=0.694, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: Findings underscore the importance of mental health screening and instituting nursing practices to enhance parental role for mothers of infants awaiting cardiac surgery.
