Supportive hands cradling a premature infant, symbolizing maternal social support.

Bridging the Gap: How to Support At-Risk Moms of Preemies

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness November 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover key maternal characteristics that can help nurses and healthcare providers identify and support vulnerable mothers of premature infants."

Each year, more than half a million infants are born prematurely in the United States, leading to increased risks of medical complications and developmental challenges. The initial NICU hospitalization is a significant stressor for mothers, who often report feelings of isolation and disconnection from their support networks. These feelings can contribute to long-term distress and anxiety, highlighting the urgent need for targeted support strategies.

While effective support programs for mothers of premature infants exist, there's limited guidance on identifying those most in need. To bridge this gap, a recent study published in the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing (JOGNN) explores maternal characteristics associated with social support among at-risk mothers of premature infants.

This article synthesizes the key findings of the JOGNN study, offering insights for healthcare professionals and nurses to better identify and support vulnerable mothers of premature infants. By understanding the factors that contribute to lower social support, we can work towards creating more effective and compassionate care strategies.

Key Maternal Characteristics Affecting Social Support

Supportive hands cradling a premature infant, symbolizing maternal social support.

The JOGNN study, led by Rosemary White-Traut and colleagues, investigated data from 194 women who gave birth to premature infants (29-34 weeks gestational age) and had at least two social-environmental risk factors (e.g., poverty). The study focused on identifying characteristics associated with lower levels of social support, measured using the Personal Resources Questionnaire 2000 (PRQ2000).

The research revealed several significant maternal characteristics linked to reduced social support:

Younger Age: Teen mothers reported lower social support levels.
Spanish Language Preference: Mothers who preferred to be interviewed in Spanish experienced significantly less social support.
Multiparity: Women with multiple children reported lower social support compared to first-time mothers.
History of Mental Health Problems: Mothers with a history of mental health issues also reported lower levels of support.

After multivariable adjustment, these four factors remained significant predictors of lower social support, explaining 18% of the variance in social support scores.

Implications for Healthcare Providers

The study's findings underscore the critical need for healthcare providers to proactively identify and support at-risk mothers of premature infants. By recognizing key maternal characteristics associated with lower social support, nurses and other professionals can tailor interventions to meet the unique needs of these vulnerable women. Culturally sensitive approaches, mental health support, and resources for mothers with multiple children are essential components of comprehensive care in the NICU and beyond. Further research is needed to develop targeted interventions and expand support services, ensuring that all mothers of premature infants receive the support they need to thrive.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

What maternal characteristics were found to be linked with lower social support among mothers of premature infants?

The JOGNN study identified several key maternal characteristics associated with reduced social support. These include younger age, a preference for Spanish language interviews, multiparity (having multiple children), and a history of mental health problems. These factors remained significant predictors after multivariable adjustment, collectively explaining a portion of the variance in social support scores. Healthcare providers can use this information to identify at-risk mothers.

How does multiparity impact social support for mothers of premature infants, according to the study?

The JOGNN study revealed that women with multiple children (multiparity) reported lower social support compared to first-time mothers. This finding suggests that mothers of premature infants with existing children may face increased challenges in accessing and utilizing social support networks. Healthcare providers should consider these mothers may have competing demands on their time and resources. They may require additional support strategies to address these unique challenges.

Why is it important for healthcare providers to identify at-risk mothers of premature infants?

Identifying at-risk mothers of premature infants is critical because these women often experience lower levels of social support, which can contribute to long-term distress and anxiety. The initial NICU hospitalization is a significant stressor, and feelings of isolation and disconnection from support networks can exacerbate these challenges. By recognizing key maternal characteristics like younger age, Spanish language preference, multiparity, and history of mental health problems, healthcare providers can tailor interventions, offer culturally sensitive approaches, and provide mental health support, ensuring these mothers receive the care they need to thrive.

What is the significance of the Personal Resources Questionnaire 2000 (PRQ2000) in the context of this study?

The Personal Resources Questionnaire 2000 (PRQ2000) was used in the JOGNN study to measure the level of social support experienced by the mothers. By assessing the PRQ2000 scores, researchers could identify the correlation between specific maternal characteristics and the level of social support. The study's findings, based on PRQ2000 results, highlighted the importance of understanding these characteristics to develop targeted interventions. This helps nurses and healthcare providers provide the right level of support.

How can healthcare providers implement the study's findings to improve care for mothers of premature infants?

Healthcare providers can implement the JOGNN study's findings by proactively identifying and supporting at-risk mothers of premature infants. This includes recognizing key maternal characteristics associated with lower social support, such as younger age, Spanish language preference, multiparity, and a history of mental health problems. By considering these factors, healthcare providers can tailor interventions, offer culturally sensitive approaches, provide mental health support, and connect mothers with resources. Further research is needed to develop targeted interventions and expand support services to ensure that all mothers receive the support they need to thrive in this challenging time.