Psychological Distress & Stress in Parents With Preterm infants-a Prospective Study

Psychological Distress & Stress in Parents With Preterm infants-a Prospective Study on Risk and Protective Psychobiological Aspects

The purpose of the present prospective study is the analysis of risk and protective factors of perinatal stress and psychological distress of parents with or without a preterm child. Stress is measured biologically by Cortisol levels and psychologically by a questionnaire. Different outcomes of psychological distress (e.g. anxiety, depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, burnout) are measured by various questionnaires. We analyze the influence of different aspects as personality traits, social support, partnership.

Inclusion Criteria:

• pregnant women and their partners from the 24th week of gestation on
• 18 years of age

Exclusion Criteria:

• psychiatric, mainly psychotic diseases
• drug abuse
• severe neurological disorders
• stillbirth