Empowering Parents Through Targeted Journaling to Promote Engagement and Reduce Stress
Erik VerHage1, Meredith Joseph, Leslie Parker
1Author Affiliations: Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (Drs VerHage, Joseph, and Berg); Department of Biobehavioral Nursing Science, College of Nursing, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (Dr Parker); Division of Palliative Care, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida (Dr Cattier); and Department of Biostatistics, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida (Dr Gao).
Summary
A structured parental journal significantly shortened neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stays for parents of preterm infants. The journal improved parents' comfort taking their baby home and their overall NICU experience.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Parental mental health
- Psychological interventions
Background:
- Parents of preterm infants in the NICU face significant psychological stress.
- This stress can negatively affect parental well-being and infant development.
- There is a need for accessible, low-cost interventions to support parents in the NICU.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that a structured parental journal enhances parental mental well-being and engagement.
- To evaluate the impact of a structured journal on parental stress and engagement in the NICU setting.
Main Methods:
- A pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted with parents of very preterm infants.
- Parents were randomized to receive a structured journal or routine NICU care.
- Outcomes included parental engagement (PREEMI), stress (PSS:NICU), length of stay, mother's own milk (MOM) use, and visitation frequency.
Main Results:
- The journal group had significantly shorter NICU stays (25 vs. 55 days).
- Parents in the journal group reported increased comfort taking their infant home (100% vs. 64%).
- Trends showed increased MOM usage and visitation frequency, with parents endorsing improved NICU experience.
Conclusions:
- The structured journal positively impacted the parental NICU experience.
- Findings suggest potential for enhanced parental engagement and reduced stress.
- Further research in larger studies is warranted to confirm these effects.
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