Parents of preterm evaluation of stress and nursing support

Abstract

This study aims to examine differences relating to the gender of parents of preterm infants on their experiences of parental stress and nursing support while their infant was in NICU. This study has a descriptive comparative survey design. Mothers (N = 41) and fathers (N = 41) answered two self-reporting questionnaires, the Nurse Parent Support Tool (NPST) and the Parental Stressor Scale (PSS: NICU). Both mothers and fathers in general experienced high stress levels in relation to the infant's appearance. Some experienced stress relating to the parental role and alteration of that role. Fewer experienced stress relating to the dimension of sight and sound. However mothers' experiences of stress decreased but fathers reported increased stress at discharge compared to their responses at baseline for a number of variables; i.e. on the appearance of sudden noise from monitor alarms (p = 0.035), seeing the baby stop breathing (p = 0.012) and not having time alone with the baby (p = 0.008). Although borderline statistically significant (p = 0.07), fathers also reported higher levels of stress at discharge regarding fear of being separated from the baby. There is no reported gender differences regarding the support received from nurses. The result has drawn attention to the importance of stress preventing initiatives towards fathers before discharge. The results also highlights that nurses' communication skills are essential in the care of premature infants and their parents.