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Parents of Preterm and Very Low Birthweight Infants and Their Childrearing Practices

Elizabeth A Koldoff1, Barbara J Holtzclaw1, Thubi H A Kolobe2

  • 1Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA.

Western Journal of Nursing Research
|May 19, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Parenting behaviors in early intervention programs show little correlation with infant birthweight. Parents of preterm infants and typical birthweight infants exhibit similar parenting beliefs and behaviors.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal care
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Early intervention

Background:

  • Early intervention is crucial for infants with very low birthweight and/or low gestational age, improving health and functional outcomes.
  • Parent engagement is vital for a successful transition from neonatal intensive care to early intervention programs.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between parental characteristics, childrearing behaviors, and participation in early intervention for high-risk infants.
  • To explore if challenges associated with very low birthweight or gestational age impact parenting practices.

Main Methods:

  • Descriptive correlational study design.
  • Convenience sampling of 49 parents participating in early intervention.
  • Utilized the Parent Behavior Checklist to assess parent characteristics and childrearing behaviors.

Main Results:

  • Correlation coefficients between parenting behaviors, infant birthweight, and early intervention participation were low.
  • The majority of parents demonstrated average childrearing practices, irrespective of infant birthweight or gestational age.
  • No significant differences were found in parenting beliefs and behaviors between parents of preterm infants with very low birthweight and parents of typical birthweight infants.

Conclusions:

  • Parental characteristics and childrearing behaviors appear to have a low correlation with participation in early intervention for high-risk infants.
  • Parents of infants with very low birthweight and/or low gestational age maintain typical parenting practices despite documented challenges.
  • Findings suggest that support for early intervention should focus on engagement strategies rather than solely on addressing perceived deficits in parenting.

Keywords:
early interventionparentsprematurityvery low birthweight

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