Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 1, 2026

Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
Mothers' experience of supporting their very preterm child's development over the first two years of life: a
Francyne Finlayson1,2,3, Alicia Spittle1,2,3, Joy Olsen2,3
1Department of Physiotherapy, University of Melbourne, Carlton, VIC, Australia.
Purpose:
To explore the experience of mothers supporting their very preterm child's development in the first two years of life.
Materials And Methods:
A phenomenological qualitative study, using semi-structured interviews. Participants were mothers of infants born <30 weeks' gestation (n = 9). Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.
Results:
Three themes describe layers of support that mothers used across the two years. The first theme, Drawing on internal resources, possibility and self-efficacy, explores the internal resources of mothers. Theme 2: It takes a village: support from family and social network, explores important relationships throughout their experience. The final theme: When healthcare works: the right people, the right support, describe the support mothers received from early intervention and healthcare professionals.
Conclusions:
Mothers' experiences can be influenced by the internal resources, their social networks and formalised, structured support from healthcare services, such as early intervention programs. Our results highlight the importance of supportive healthcare relationships, accessible early intervention services and opportunities for connection with other parents with similar experiences.
More Related Videos
14:43A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
05:04A Common Marmoset Model of Mother-Infant Intervention for Breastfeeding Disorders in the Presence of Paternal Inhibition and Maternal Neglect
Published on: September 22, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Relationship with Parents: Attachment
Socioemotional Development during Infancy
Primary Temperament Types
Stella Chess...
Attachment
The Nativist Approach
Piaget's Stage 1 of Cognitive Development
Exploration...
Parental Care