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Antecedents of behavior: parents of high-risk newborns
Insights
This study developed a reliable instrument to measure parental behavior antecedents in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Findings reveal key factors influencing parental actions and highlight differences in these antecedents.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neonatal Care
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Parental behavior is crucial for high-risk newborns in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).
- Understanding the factors influencing parental behavior is essential for effective NICU interventions.
- Existing measures may not fully capture the unique experiences of parents with infants in the NICU.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate an instrument measuring antecedents of parental behavior.
- To apply the Theory of Reasoned Action to understand parental behavior in the NICU context.
- To identify specific attitudes, social norms, experiences, and expectations influencing parental actions.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Theory of Reasoned Action framework.
- Conducted qualitative interviews with 10 parents of high-risk newborns admitted to the NICU.
- Developed Likert and semantic differential scales based on interview themes.
- Evaluated instrument reliability and validity using a repeated measures design with 30 parents.
Main Results:
- The developed instrument demonstrated reliability and validity.
- An emerging model of parental behavior antecedents was identified.
- Significant differences were found in the antecedents of parental behavior.
Conclusions:
- The instrument is a valuable tool for measuring parental behavior antecedents in the NICU.
- The findings provide insights into the psychological and social factors affecting parental behavior.
- Further research can utilize this instrument to explore interventions aimed at supporting parents in the NICU.
Abstract:
The Theory of Reasoned Action (Ajzen & Fishbein, 1980) was used to develop an instrument to measure antecedents of parental behavior. The subjects, a convenience sample of 10 parents of high-risk newborns were interviewed 24 to 36 hours after their infant's admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Likert and semantic differential scales (Osgood, Suci & Tannenbaum, 1956) were developed based on salient themes identified from the qualitative analysis of the interview transcripts to measure parents': (a) attitudes, (b) social norms, (c) previous experiences and (d) expectations. The instrument was evaluated on 30 parents using a repeated measures design. Results reflect the reliability and validity of the instrument, an emerging model of antecedents of parent's behavior and the presence of differences in antecedents of parent's behavior.