Knowledge of and Perceived Competence in Trauma-Informed Care and Attitudes of NICU Nurses Toward Mothers of Newborns With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome

Abstract

ObjectiveTo explore how knowledge of and perceived competence in trauma-informed care inform the attitudes of NICU nurses toward mothers of newborns with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). DesignA cross-sectional survey study. SettingA southern U.S. metropolitan children’s hospital with 145 NICU beds. ParticipantsConvenience sample of 150 NICU nurses. MethodsParticipants completed an online survey questionnaire adapted from the Attitudes About Drug Abuse in Pregnancy questionnaire and the Trauma-Informed Pediatric Care survey. Participants also responded to one open-ended question about their experiences in working with mothers of newborns with NAS. We used descriptive and inferential statistics and content analysis to analyze the survey data. ResultsParticipants demonstrated low to moderate knowledge about and perceived competence in trauma-informed care and showed more judgmental attitudes toward mothers of newborns with NAS. Level of knowledge about mothers with substance use disorder and perceived competence in trauma-informed care were associated with participants’ attitudes toward mothers of newborns with NAS. Emergent themes from qualitative data included the following: Mother–Newborn Dyads Shape Nurses’ Judgmental Attitudes, Caring for Mothers of Newborns With NAS Is a Challenging Experience, and Need to Refine Care for Mothers Through Intra- and Interdisciplinary Collaboration. ConclusionNICU nurses need further education about mothers of newborns with NAS. Improved knowledge about these women and adaptation of the principles of trauma-informed care may influence NICU nurses’ judgmental attitudes toward mothers of newborns with NAS.