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Predicting the Mental Health of Mothers with Premature Infants Based on Intolerance of Uncertainty, Rumination, and Coping Strategies
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Zahra Karbasforooshan   , Soheila Soltani Asl Heris |
| Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Bahar Non-Profit Higher Education Institute, Mashhad, Iran , so.soltani@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (25 Views) |
Introduction: The birth of a premature infant poses psychological challenges for the family, particularly for mothers. This study aimed to predict the mental health of mothers with premature infants based on their intolerance of uncertainty, rumination, and coping strategies.
Methods: This descriptive-correlational study included a statistical population of 200 mothers of premature infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) of hospitals in Mashhad in 2024. Convenience sampling was used for data collection. The instruments included a maternal and neonatal demographic form, the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale (Freeston), the Ruminative Response Scale (Nolen-Hoeksema et al), the Coping Strategies Inventory (Lazarus and Folkman), and the General Health Questionnaire (Goldberg).
Results: Regression analysis revealed that the predictor variables accounted for 48% of the variance in mothers' mental health. Rumination, problem-focused coping strategies, intolerance of uncertainty, and emotion-focused coping strategies were significant predictors of mental health. Rumination had the highest predictive power among the variables. Rumination, intolerance of uncertainty, and emotion-focused coping strategies were negative predictors, whereas problem-focused coping strategies positively predicted maternal mental health.
Conclusion: The mental health of mothers of premature infants is influenced by rumination, stress-coping strategies, and intolerance of uncertainty. Rumination also had a greater share in predicting mental health. Accordingly, it seems better for hospitals to provide training programs to increase adaptive stress-coping strategies in mothers and to pave the way for reducing rumination and enhancing their mental health. |
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| Keywords: Coping strategies, Intolerance of uncertainty, Mental health, Mothers, Premature infant, Rumination |
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Full-Text [PDF 364 kb]
(9 Downloads)
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Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Special
Received: 2025/05/25 | Accepted: 2026/09/1 | Published: 2026/10/2
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