Parents’ Responses to Stress in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Background Parents’ stress resulting from hospitalization of their infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) produces emotional and behavioral responses. The National Institutes of Health–sponsored Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) offers a valid and efficient means of assessing parents’ responses. Objective To examine the relationship of stress to anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disruption among parents of infants hospitalized in the NICU. Methods Thirty parents completed the Parental Stressor Scale (PSS:NICU) containing subscales for NICU Sights and Sounds, Infant Behavior and Appearance, and Parental Role Alteration, and the PROMIS anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance short-form instruments. Results PSS total score was significantly correlated with anxiety (r = 0.61), depression (r = 0.36), and sleep disturbance (r = 0.60). Scores for NICU Sights and Sounds were not significantly correlated with parents’ outcomes; however, scores for Alteration in Parenting Role were correlated with all 4 outcomes, and scores for Infant Appearance were correlated with all except fatigue. Conclusion Stress experienced by parents of NICU infants is associated with a concerning constellation of physical and emotional outcomes comprising anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disruption.

Stress Experienced by Parents of Hospitalized Neonate

“…An area that caused only a little stress for parents in this study was sights and sounds of NICU which is consistent with the other studies 12, 13,14,16 . The parents express less stress NICU environment as they perceived it is need for their neonate treatment and better health.…”

“…The overall stress score that indicates the degree of stress parents experienced was also within the same range (M = 3.51± 0.74). with other studies 12,11,13,14,16 which indicate that the most stressful aspect of having an infant in NICU is an altered parental role and relationship with their baby. Becoming parents is one of the stressful events of life, in addition when the neonate is sick or premature and need to take care to NICU leads to parent's loss the confident, feeling guilt.…”

“…The parents express less stress NICU environment as they perceived it is need for their neonate treatment and better health. There was no influence in parents' stress in sight and sounds from parental age which was consistence with the study done in Nigeria and US 13,14 . The finding suggests that even though the NICU environment provokes parental stress, the magnitude of stress is not associated to the age limits of the parents.…”

Yoga for Mental Health of Children: A Short Review

“…In total, due to the psychological and biological changes there are more psychological challenges around adolescents 1 . During the growth process, children might face some pressures from the family, school and other social settings that expect them to display good performance, and adjust rapidly with changing developments in the society 8,10 . This is very challenging for children, their teachers, and their parents for achieving positive mental healthy mindsets 23 .…”

“…Previous researches supported that stress also could lead to heart disease, depression, and overweight or even to compromises to general health [7][8][9] . Some of young parents who are responsible for taking care of the children might transfer their tension to their children, which should be noted as it could cause trouble for their families 10,11 . On the other hand, children learn to internalize the stress of selfimposed expectations set by their caregivers, schools, and society, which can result in some problems such as anxiety for them 12 .…”