Factors Associated With Parental Stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Parents having infants treated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) may experience negative psychosocial effects if they perceive high levels of stress.

To investigate associations between perceived stress among parents with infants treated in the NICU and sociodemographic characteristics (educational level), clinical factors (labor week, birthweight, previous miscarriage), dyadic adjustment, illness perception, and healthcare satisfaction.

In this descriptive, correlational, cross-sectional study, parents ( N = 259) of infants treated in the NICU were recruited by convenience sampling. Study questionnaires, "Parent-Infant Descriptive Information Form, Perceived Stress Scale, Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire, Dyadic Adjustment Scale, and PedsQL Healthcare Satisfaction Scale" were administered to parents. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted.

Perceived stress level of the parents was high. Parents' perceptions of their infants' illness, satisfaction with healthcare, and dyadic adjustment accounted for 77.8% of their perceived stress.

Interventions that promote coping with stress, enhance dyadic adjustment, and increase healthcare satisfaction for parents may promote parents' mental health and may also be crucial to maintain a positive infant-parent relationship. Moreover, because parents reported less stress when they had a positive perception of their infants' diseases, parents should be encouraged to ask questions about their infant's diagnosis, and clinicians should provide anticipatory guidance.