Parenting Expectations, NICU Experiences, and Maternal Psychological Outcomes: An Exploratory Mixed-Methods Study

Sarah M Rodrigues1, Sanghyuk S Shin, Melissa D Pinto

  • 1Author Affiliations: Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, University of California, Irvine (Drs Rodrigues, Shin, Pinto, and Bounds); Department of Gender & Sexuality Studies, University of California, Irvine (Dr Terry); and School of Nursing, University of Nevada, Las Vegas (Dr Burton).

Summary

Mothers hospitalized with infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experience distress when their actual experiences differ from their parenting expectations. Addressing these expectation-experience differences (EEDs) is crucial for maternal mental health post-NICU.

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