Social support in the neonatal intensive care unit

Area of Science:

• Neonatal Intensive Care
• Family Support Systems
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Hospitalization of infants in intensive care units (ICUs) is a significant source of parental stress.
• Social support networks are vital for parental coping during such challenging times.
• Grandparents play a unique and influential role within these support systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the role of grandparents in supporting families with very low birthweight (VLBW) infants in the NICU.
• To explore both professional and parental perspectives on grandparental support.
• To identify potential discrepancies in expectations and areas of conflict.

Main Methods:

• A study involving 93 families with VLBW infants.
• Questionnaires administered to family members at 1 month post-birth and 1 month post-discharge.
• Inclusion of both healthcare professional and lay perspectives.

Main Results:

• Consensus identified the primary role of grandparents as providing emotional support.
• Practical help offered by grandparents was often viewed as an expression of care.
• Discrepancies emerged between professional and parental expectations regarding information gathering and problem protection.
• Grandmothers, especially maternal grandmothers, were perceived as more central figures than grandfathers.

Conclusions:

• Grandparents are essential emotional pillars for families navigating NICU experiences.
• Maternal grandmothers often assume a key supportive role.
• Addressing differing expectations between parents and professionals is crucial for optimal family support.
• Recommendations include empowering parents to choose their support network to mitigate potential conflicts.