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Supporting-emotional needs of Iranian parents with premature infants admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Faranak Aliabadi1, Mohammad Kamali2, Leili Borimnejad3

  • 11. Faculty member, Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. faral9851@yahoo.com.

Medical Journal of the Islamic Republic of Iran
|November 19, 2014
PubMed

Insights

Parents of premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) need interaction, empathy, spousal support, and external help. Meeting these emotional needs builds parental confidence and reduces distress.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Parental psychology
  • Qualitative research

Background:

  • Infant hospitalization in neonatal intensive care units (NICU) causes significant parental stress and separation anxiety.
  • This contrasts with typical birth experiences, highlighting unique challenges for parents of premature infants.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify and compile the specific emotional support needs of Iranian parents with premature infants in the NICU.
  • To understand the factors influencing parental well-being during neonatal intensive care unit admissions.

Main Methods:

  • A qualitative research approach was employed.
  • Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 9 parents, 2 nurses, and 1 physician.
  • Data were analyzed using inductive content analysis.

Main Results:

  • Four key parental needs emerged: desire for infant interaction, need for medical team empathy, requirement for spousal support, and the need for external assistance.
  • These findings highlight the multifaceted emotional landscape of parents with infants in the NICU.

Conclusions:

  • Fostering parental-infant bonding and parental role attainment requires proximity and emotional support.
  • Addressing these identified needs enhances parental confidence in infant care and mitigates negative emotional experiences.
Abstract

Keywords:
ContentEmotionsNeonatal intensive care unitParentsPremature infant

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