Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 19, 2025

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
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Published on: August 25, 2014

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Little Bookworms: Examining participation in a NICU reading program and parental attachment and anxiety

A D Henry1,2, C A Stanton3, E J Plosa2,4

  • 1Department of Psychology and Human Development, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA.

Journal of Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine
|June 16, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Bedside reading programs in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) significantly reduced parental anxiety and improved maternal attachment. Parents perceived enhanced bonding with their infants through this family-centered intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) interventions
  • Parental well-being and engagement
  • Attachment theory and development

Background:

  • Bedside reading programs are increasingly implemented in NICUs to boost parent engagement.
  • Limited research exists on the impact of these programs on parental well-being, including attachment and anxiety.
  • Understanding these effects is crucial for developing effective family-centered care strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between a parent-led bedside reading program and parental well-being in the NICU.
  • Specifically, to assess the program's impact on parent/caregiver attachment, anxiety levels, and overall satisfaction.
  • To evaluate the perceived benefits of the reading program on parent-infant bonding.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 60 NICU parents/caregivers participated in a parent-led bedside reading program.
  • Pre- and post-intervention self-reported measures assessed anxiety and attachment.
  • A Program Perceptions and Experiences survey was administered upon infant discharge.

Main Results:

  • Significant decreases in parent-reported anxiety were observed from pre- to post-intervention.
  • Mothers showed significant increases in overall postnatal attachment and Quality of Attachment scores.
  • Fathers did not exhibit significant changes in attachment; however, participants reported enhanced infant bonding.

Conclusions:

  • The bedside reading program led to reduced parental anxiety and improved maternal postnatal attachment.
  • While medical improvements may contribute, participants positively viewed the program's role in enhancing bonding.
  • Parental bedside reading interventions offer a feasible and potentially valuable family-centered approach for NICU families.

Keywords:
NICUanxietyattachmentcaregiverinfantparentreading

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