Nurs Crit Care. 2026 Mar;31(2):e70351. doi: 10.1111/nicc.70351.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Maternal mental health issues such as depression, anxiety and stress are prevalent among mothers of neonates in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). These psychological challenges can impact both maternal well-being and the mother-neonate bond.
AIM: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effectiveness of nursing interventions in improving maternal mental health outcomes, including depression, anxiety, stress, mother-neonate interaction and sleep quality in NICU settings.
STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted in databases including PubMed, Scopus, Cochrane Library, CINAHL and PsycINFO. Data were pooled using standardised mean differences (SMDs) and analysed using a random effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using I2 statistics, and publication bias was evaluated with funnel plots and Egger’s test.
RESULTS: Final number of included studies was 36. Nursing interventions significantly reduced maternal depression (SMD = -0.296, p = 0.002), stress (SMD = -1.326, p < 0.001) and anxiety (SMD = -0.694, p = 0.001). However, no significant effects were observed for mother-neonate interaction (SMD = 0.071, p = 0.903). Heterogeneity was high for stress (I2 = 95.0%) and anxiety (I2 = 89.2%), while there was no publication bias detected for depression, anxiety or stress.
CONCLUSION: Nursing interventions significantly reduce maternal depression, anxiety and stress in the NICU. However, their impact on mother-neonate interaction and sleep quality remains unclear.
RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Given the substantial impact of stress and anxiety on maternal well-being, implementing structured interventions such as psychoeducation, stress management and mindfulness could significantly reduce the psychological burden on mothers.
PMID:41614336 | DOI:10.1111/nicc.70351
