The Impact of Parental Mental Health on Infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

The neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) provides critical and life saving care for infants born with medical complications that may need specialized care. The NICU environment can be an overwhelming and stressful place for both parents and infants. Parental mental health challenges, such as stress, anxiety, and depression, can significantly impact infants in the NICU by hindering parent infant interaction and connection. Parental mental distress is often linked to an increase in anxiety for the infant, as well as higher rates of medical complications and a higher likelihood of longer hospital stays for the infant. Parental stress can have a long lasting impact on their child. Understanding the connection between parental mental health and infant outcomes is essential in order to support the complex health implications of NICU infants.