Maternal wellbeing and posttraumatic growth following preterm birth

Preterm birth (<37 weeks of gestation) impacts approximately 11.1% of births worldwide, each year (World Health Organization, 2018). Despite extensive research on psychopathology after preterm birth, there is limited research adopting a strengths-based framework evaluating adaptive outcomes. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate wellbeing and posttraumatic growth in birthing parents of children aged 0 ‚ÄövÑv¨ 9 years, and identify risk and protective factors associated with outcomes. Participants were recruited and completed the study questionnaire online including the Psychological Wellbeing Scale (Ryff & Keyes, 1995) and Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996). The final sample included 866 birthing parents (n=861 female gender) of children born preterm in infancy-toddlerhood (n=308), early (n=259), and middle childhood (n=299). Results indicated a positive association (p<.001) between wellbeing and posttraumatic growth, and differences in outcomes by child age groups. Caregivers of children in early childhood reported lower wellbeing and posttraumatic growth than those in infancy-toddlerhood and middle childhood. Differential child and sociodemographic risk factors for wellbeing and posttraumatic growth were identified. Findings provide insight into age-related differences in cognitive and affective processes, and risk factors that can be targeted in the development of postnatal care following preterm birth.