Former Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Fathers' Involvement 4 Years Later: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

PurposeTo explore the experience of fathering a previous Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU) infant four years after hospitalization. Design and methodsNineteen fathers of former NICU infants were interviewed using a semi-structured schedule. ResultsMost of the fathers had children with ongoing health issues (84%). The median age of the fathers was 38 years old. Racial demographics included 12 white fathers (63%), 5 black fathers (26%), and 2 Hispanic fathers (11%). Themes that emerged included adjustments, prepared for anything, closeness, ambivalent normalcy, and vigilance. These fathers of former infants with health issues made ‘adjustments’ in their lives to be available and better fathers for their children. They familiarized themselves with their children's ongoing health issues so they could be better protectors and be ‘prepared for anything’, but considered their children ‘normal kids’ while still maintaining ‘vigilance’ for future health needs. Fathers described that the experience of having an infant with health issues helped them to develop ‘closeness’ with the child and boosted their confidence as fathers. ConclusionThis involvement/confidence pattern is critically important to establishing and maintaining fathering, especially for fathers of children with disabilities. Practice implicationsPediatric practitioners can continue to encourage this pattern after the initial hospital stay.