Stress in Fathers of Surgical Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Babies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify and measure components of perceived stress in fathers of infants in a surgical neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The Parent Stressor Scale: Infant Hospitalization (PSS:IH) was used to assess perceived stress in 22 fathers. Paternal stress was highest in the domains of "Parental Role Alteration" and "Infant Appearance and Behavior." "Sights and Sounds" did not appear to be associated with self-reported stress. This study demonstrates elevated levels of perceived stress among fathers of surgical NICU babies. Attention to fathers may be assisted by findings.

Stress and distress in parents of neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit for cardiac surgery

“…To date, a paucity of studies have assessed the NICU-related stress experienced by parents of infants with complex medical and/or surgical conditions; including cardiac surgery [24][25][26]. This is despite reports that the birth prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) worldwide is now eight in every 1000 live births, with up to 50% of such children requiring surgery [27,28].…”

Stress in fathers of premature newborns admitted in a neonatal intensive care unit

“…Research has primarily focused on mothers and only recently has stress among fathers been studied [1][2][3][4][5][6][7]. Reports on parental stress from developing countries and from cultural minorities in Western countries suggest that the causes of stress and responses thereof do not always fit into the Western paradigm [8][9][10].…”

The Effects of an Empowerment Program on the Stress Among Mothers of Neonates Undergoing Colostomy

“…Joseph et al also found that the fathers of children hospitalized in surgical NICUs experienced high levels of stress (14). However, the current study solely assessed the stress level of the mothers of neonates undergoing colostomy and did not include fathers in the study.…”