Parent Psychological Distress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Within the Context of the Social Ecological Model: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) parents are at risk for psychological distress and impaired mental health, and statistics related to parent psychological distress vary. To determine the scope of literature regarding the mental health and psychosocial well-being of parents in the NICU. A scoping review within the Arksey and O'Malley framework and the SEM was undertaken to answer, "What factors contribute to parent's mental health in the NICU?" A systematic review of the literature was performed using the PRISMA methodology. Common socioeconomic factors and infant and parent characteristics may place parents at a greater risk for developing distress. History of mental illness, family cohesion, birth trauma, altered parenting role, gestational age, birth weight, and severity of prematurity/illness emerged as themes. Further research is required to provide a standard for the screening and assessment of parents' mental health and psychosocial well-being during a NICU hospitalization. The experiences of nonbirth parents in the NICU should be explored to examine the effects of the hospitalization on all types of parents.