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Published on: January 7, 2020
Parenting in the neonatal intensive care unit
1University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio, School of Nursing, University of Texas, Austin, TX 78229-3900, USA. clevelandl@uthscsa.edu
Insights
Parents with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) need information, inclusion, contact, and positive staff perception. Nursing behaviors like emotional support and education empower parents during NICU stays.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Care
- Parental Support
- Healthcare Research
Background:
- Infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) often require specialized care.
- Parents of these infants face unique emotional and practical challenges.
- Understanding parental needs and supportive nursing behaviors is crucial for family-centered care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review the literature on the needs of parents with infants in the NICU.
- To identify nursing behaviors that effectively support these parents.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature review was conducted.
- Searched databases (Medline, CINAHL) for qualitative and quantitative studies (1998-2008).
- Included 60 studies addressing parental needs and supportive nursing behaviors in the NICU.
Main Results:
- Six key needs for NICU parents were identified: accurate information, inclusion in care, infant contact, positive staff perception, individualized care, and therapeutic relationships.
- Four supportive nursing behaviors emerged: emotional support, parent empowerment, creating a welcoming environment, and parent education with guided practice.
Conclusions:
- Addressing parental needs in the NICU is essential for optimal family adjustment.
- Specific nursing interventions can empower parents and enhance their experience.
- Further research can build upon these findings to improve NICU family-centered care models.
Objective:
A systematic review of the literature was conducted to answer the following 2 questions: (a) What are the needs of parents who have infants in the neonatal intensive care unit? (b) What behaviors support parents with an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit?
Data Sources:
Using the search terms "parents or parenting" and the "neonatal intensive care unit," computer library databases including Medline and CINAHL were searched for qualitative and quantitative studies. Only research published in English between 1998 and 2008 was included in the review.
Study Selection:
Based on the inclusion criteria, 60 studies were selected.
Data Extraction:
Study contents were analyzed with the 2 research questions in mind.
Data Synthesis:
Existing research was organized into 1 of 3 tables based on the question answered. Nineteen articles addressed the first question, 24 addressed the second, and 17 addressed both.
Conclusions:
Six needs were identified for parents who had an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit: (a) accurate information and inclusion in the infant's care, (b) vigilant watching-over and protecting the infant, (c) contact with the infant, (d) being positively perceived by the nursery staff, (e) individualized care, and (f) a therapeutic relationship with the nursing staff. Four nursing behaviors were identified to assist parents in meeting these needs: (a) emotional support, (b) parent empowerment, (c) a welcoming environment with supportive unit policies, and (d) parent education with an opportunity to practice new skills through guided participation.
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