Comparison of anticipatory grief reaction between fathers and mothers of premature infants in neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Premature birth of neonates leads to anticipatory grief (AG) reaction in parents and make them vulnerable to mental health disorders. The present study aimed to determine and compare the AG reaction in mothers and fathers of premature infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit. This comparative descriptive design was conducted among 40 pairs of mothers and fathers selected by convenience sampling method. The study was performed in 2011 using the Anticipatory Grief Scale. Data were analysed with 'Wilcoxon ranks test' using SPSS. The AG mean scores of fathers and mothers were 1.55 ± 0.55 and 1.68 ± 0.63, respectively. The Wilcoxon test did not show any statistically significant difference between mothers' and fathers' AG reaction (p = 0.12). Despite expectations, the AG reaction in mothers and fathers showed no difference in this study. It seems necessary to pay more attention to the fathers in addition to mothers to be supported and consulted by the healthcare providers.