Stress and Perception of Nurse Support in Parents Whose Babies are Hospitalized in The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the stress status and nurse-parent support perception in parents whose babies are in the neonatal intensive care unit. Material and Method: This research is of descriptive type. 127 parents whose babies were in the neonatal intensive care unit constituted the sample of the study. Data were collected with Parent Information Form, the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU) and the Nurse Parent Support Tool (NPST). Results: The stress level of the parents was found to be 3.24 ± 1.21 and the NPST score was 3.65 ± 0.82. Those who live in the same city as the neonatal intensive care unit and who have a baby boy, and those whose babies receive respiratory support were found to have a higher parental role alterations mean subscale score. As the education level of the father decreased, the support for respect and quality caregiving scores increased. Perceived nursing support increased in parents of breastfed and formula-fed babies. Conclusion: It was determined that there was a positive relationship between the stress level perceived by parents and the perception of nurse support. Nursing support should be given to all parents admitted to the NICU.