Parental stress in the neonatology unit - The influence of hospital stay length and neonatal unit differentiation

Abstract

AimTo analyze the influence of neonatal unit differentiation and hospital stay length on parental stress. BackgroundParents choose to deliver in a private or public hospital. These hospitals differ in the specialization in perinatal care and the support offered by the neonatal units. MethodsIt was a methodological study. Data were collected using the Neonatal Unit Parental Stress Scale - Portuguese version that was given to parents on day 2, and day 14 of hospitalization after the child's birth. ResultsIn the Parent Relationship with Infant and Parental Role and Physical Environment and Sounds dimensions, there was an increase in parental stress in differentiated neonatal intensive units and a decrease in stress in specialized and special neonatal units. ConclusionParents should be integrated into activities that promote their parental role, and actions should be implemented to reduce stressors in the neonatal unit environment.