Parenting and parental mental health following preterm birth: Associations in mothers and fathers and influence on child outcomes

This thesis investigated associations between parental mental health symptoms, parenting behaviours, and developmental outcomes in children born very preterm (<32 weeks’ gestation), moderate-to-late preterm (32-36 weeks’ gestation) and term (≥37 weeks’ gestation). Parenting behaviours were associated with developmental outcomes in children born very preterm and moderate-to-late preterm. Fathers’ were found to be at risk of ongoing mental health symptoms following very preterm birth. Findings highlight the need for parenting-focused early intervention programs for both mothers and fathers of children born preterm. The importance of ongoing mental health screening and support for parents following very preterm birth was also highlighted.