Giving parents support: a randomized trial of peer support for parents after NICU discharge

BACKGROUND: Peer support during inpatient hospitalization has been recommended for NICU parents and can improve maternal mental health. Less is known about the impact of peer support after NICU discharge on parental mental health and infant healthcare utilization. METHODS: Three hundred families of infants approaching discharge from a Level IV NICU were randomized to receive a care notebook (control) or care notebook plus peer support for 12 months (intervention). Participants reported on measures of stress, depression, anxiety, self-efficacy, and infant healthcare utilization. Analysis compared outcomes between control and treatment groups. RESULTS: Parental depression, anxiety, stress, and self-efficacy improved significantly for all participants, yet there were no differences between control and intervention groups. Infant ED visits, hospitalizations, immunization status, and developmental status at 12 months did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Peer support after NICU discharge did not improve self-reported parental mental health measures or infant healthcare utilization. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02643472.