Support Systems: Strategies and Implications for Hospitalized Newborns and Families

Abstract

This article describes both ideological and theoretical studies of support systems available to handicapped, low-birth weight, and high-risk newborns and their families within the hospital setting. Attention is focused on the time-frame immediately following the birth of the infant. Medical, social service, and educational/ developmental factors influencing the family-unit are addressed. The article discusses extant strengths and weaknesses in each system from a parent's as well as a professional's perspective, along with models of "best practice" and an overview of implications for viable support.

Mothers' Perceptions of Their NICU Experience 1 and 7 Months After Discharge

“…Furthermore, they rated these experiences as very important. Researchers have found a strong relationship between (a) staff support and their provision of information regarding the child's condition and medical interventions and (b) the mother's sense of control and competence (Bruder & Walker, 1990;Flynn & McCollum, 1989). At the same time, mothers frequently described how stressful and painful the experience was.…”

“…The caregiving can facilitate parent attachment, increase parents' feelings of competence, and renew their sense of control (Flynn & McCollum, 1989;Bruder & Walker, 1990;McCluskey-Fawcett, O'Brien, Robinson, & Asay, 1992). The mother's perceived sense of control in the NICU is correlated with her perceptions of her child's developmental progress (Affleck, Tennen, & Gershman, 1985).…”

“…At least two stages characterize the NICU hospitalization: the critical stage and the growing stage. Transition from the NICU and its planning may be considered a third stage (Flynn & McCollum, 1989). During the critical stage, the focus of hospital staff is on the survival of the infant.…”

The Hospital

“…Parents are also given written information in a discharge notebook that can be shared with the communitybased program, local physician, or outpatient clinic therapists. As noted in a study by Flynn and McCollum (1989), parents request honest, straightforward information from professionals and adapt best when they receive the information early.…”

Support for Rural Families of Hospitalized Infants: The Parents' Perspective

“…Informal refers to family members or close friends who SUPPORT 21 interact with and provide resources for families. In the context of the hospital setting, formal support for families may include relevant, straightforward information about their child's health condition (Amick, 1984;Flynn & McCollum, 1989;Murdoch, 1983;Pueschel, 1985); information regarding the child's development (Bruder & Cole,199 1;Swanson,198 1); financial assistance (Moore, Hamerlynck, Barsh, Spiekers, & Jones, 1982;Moore & McLaughlin, 1988;Murphy, 1982;Vadasy, Fewell, Meyer, Schell, & Greenberg, 1984); response to initial and ongoing emotions of family members (Amick, 1984;Flynn & McCollum, 1989;Halpern & Parker-Crawford, 1982;Pueschel, 1985); opportunities for families to interact with their child (Af- fleck, Tennen, Rowe, & Higgins, 1990;Amick, 1984;Griffin, 1990); and referral to existing community resources (Bruder & Cole, 1991;Halpern & Parker-Crawford, 1982;Hanlin & Deppe, 1990;Murdoch, 1983;Pueschel, 1985). Informal supports may include a sibling providing assistance with child care, a grandparent helping with medical expenses, or friends providing transportation to the hospital.…”