A Longitudinal Study of Families of Preterm Infants: Changes in Stress and Support over the First Two Years

Abstract

Families of 44 preterm infants were followed to determine if there were changes over time in the amount of stress and support they reported. Primary caregivers were interviewed in their homes at 3, 6, 12, and 24 months of age. Results indicated that there were significant changes in the amount of stress reported by parents. However, these changes were tied to specific types of child problems identified by the parent. There were no significant changes in the amount of social support parents received over time. Informal social support was significantly negatively correlated with stress at 3, 12, and 24 months. A number of factors contributed significantly to the prediction of stress; however, the particular constellation of variables changed at each age. Results are interpreted in terms of their implications for intervention.