OBJECTIVE: Symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder are a well-recognized 
phenomenon in mothers of preterm infants, with implications for maternal health 
and infant outcomes. This randomized controlled trial evaluated 6-month outcomes 
from a skills-based intervention developed to reduce symptoms of posttraumatic 
stress disorder, anxiety, and depression.
METHODS: One hundred five mothers of preterm infants were randomly assigned to 
(1) a 6- or 9-session intervention based on principles of trauma-focused 
cognitive behavior therapy with infant redefinition or (2) a 1-session active 
comparison intervention based on education about the NICU and parenting of the 
premature infant. Outcome measures included the Davidson Trauma Scale, the Beck 
Depression Inventory II, and the Beck Anxiety Inventory. Participants were 
assessed at baseline, 4 to 5 weeks after birth, and 6 months after the birth of 
the infant.
RESULTS: At the 6-month assessment, the differences between the intervention and 
comparison condition were all significant and sizable and became more pronounced 
when compared with the 4- to 5-week outcomes: Davidson Trauma Scale (Cohen's d = 
-0.74, P < .001), Beck Anxiety Inventory (Cohen's d = -0.627, P = .001), Beck 
Depression Inventory II (Cohen's d = -0.638, P = .002). However, there were no 
differences in the effect sizes between the 6- and 9-session interventions.
CONCLUSIONS: A brief 6-session intervention based on principles of 
trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy was effective at reducing symptoms of 
trauma, anxiety, and depression in mothers of preterm infants. Mothers showed 
increased benefits at the 6-month follow-up, suggesting that they continue to 
make use of techniques acquired during the intervention phase.