1. Stress Appraisal and Coping in Mothers of NICU Infants
- Author
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Robert M. Gordon, Karen D. Hendricks-Muñoz, A. Cate Miller, and Sara R. Feldman Reichman
- Subjects
Clinical Psychology ,Coping (psychology) ,Distress ,Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health ,Multilevel model ,Developmental and Educational Psychology ,Research questions ,Stress appraisal ,Psychology ,Developmental psychology - Abstract
In this study, we assessed the coping process in 35 mothers of premature and at-risk infants using a cognitive-behavioral theory to examine the relation among the stressful event, appraisal of the event, coping, and psychological symptomatology. Results show that 60% of the participants presented with clinically significant levels of distress. Tests of additional hypotheses and research questions addressed the role of appraisals and coping strategies. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that 58% (adjusted R&sub2) of the variance in distress was explained by four variables. The appraisal of uncontrollability, confrontive coping, and escape-avoidant coping were predictive of increased distress. The coping strategy of accepting responsibility was predictive of decreased distress. Satisfaction with the child's physician was a significant indicator of better functioning.
- Published
- 2000
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