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Perceptions of Parents With Preterm Infants Hospitalized in Singaporean Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Yen Yen Yang1, Hong-Gu He, Soke Yee Lee
1Division of Nursing, National University Hospital, Singapore (Mss Yang and Lee); National University Health System, Singapore (Mss Yang and Lee and Drs He, Koh, and Shorey), Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore (Drs He, Shorey, and Koh); and School of Health Sciences, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand (Dr Holroyd).
Insights
Parents of preterm infants in a Singapore NICU experienced varied emotions and developed coping strategies. Enhanced emotional and informational support is crucial for improving their caregiving competence.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Parental psychology
- Qualitative research
Background:
- Parental experiences in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are critical for infant outcomes.
- Understanding parental emotional and support needs is essential for effective NICU care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the perceptions and experiences of parents with preterm infants hospitalized in a Singapore NICU.
- To identify parental emotional responses, coping strategies, and support needs during infant hospitalization.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing semistructured, face-to-face interviews with 8 parents of preterm infants.
- Data collected between November 2013 and February 2014.
- Thematic analysis used to identify key themes in parental perceptions.
Main Results:
- Parents experienced a wide range of emotions, from distress to anticipation.
- Identified themes included emotional fluctuations, coping mechanisms, support systems, and needs for more information/professional support.
- Most parents perceived their NICU experience positively but suggested improvements in information and care.
Conclusions:
- Parental emotional well-being and coping abilities are significantly influenced by their NICU experience.
- Healthcare professionals should address parental negative emotions and enhance emotional and informational support.
- Improved support can empower parents to better manage their newborn's hospitalization.
Abstract:
Perceptions of parents with preterm infants who were hospitalized in a Singapore-based neonatal intensive care unit were observed. Convenience sampling method was used to recruit 8 parents of preterm infants. Semistructured face-to-face in-depth interviews were used to collect data between November 2013 and February 2014. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes were identified: "negative emotions versus positive emotions," "finding ways forward," "nature of support received from various sources," and "need more informational and professional support." Parents of preterm infants experienced a multitude of emotions that varied from shock and sadness to excitement and anticipation through their babies' birth, hospitalization, and impending discharge. These parents adopted several strategies to cope with their birth and subsequent infant hospitalization. While their neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience was perceived as positive for most parents, some suggestions were made to improve on the information provided and professional care. This study provides evidence to health care professionals in addressing parents' negative emotions and coping abilities in practice. Emotional and informational support for parents is important for them to be more competent in coping with the hospitalization of their newborn in the NICU.