Authors : Masumeh Akbarbegloo, Leila Valizadeh and Maliheh Asadollahi
Abstract: Premature newborn birth is related to hospitalization of newborn and separation from family. Not paying attention to emotional and psychological stresses of parents of such child, causes inadequate attachment with their newborn at the time of discharge and will increase vulnerability of child and parents. This study is done due to lack of enough research in this field in the country. A descriptive study with the population consisted of all mothers (n = 300) with hospitalized premature newborn in NICU, in 3 teaching hospitals in Tabriz (Taleghani, Alzahra, Koodakan) during the first 6 months in year 2007. Data collected by PSS questionnaire (Parent Stressor Scale) developed by Margaret Miles and Funk 1998. From NICU environmental stressors: The presence of monitors and equipment 64.3%, presenting another infant having a machine breath (respirator) in the room 38.3% and also from baby looks, behaves and special treatments: Unusual or abnormal breathing patterns in child 70.3%, tubes and equipment on or near the child 67%, suddenly change of newborn skin color 49.3%, seeing needles on the child’s body, 44.7% and also from parental relationship and parent's role: Being separated from child 60.3%, feeling inability of helping child during hospitalization 51.7% and feeling inability of protecting child from pain and painful procedures 44.3% were respectively major stresses of the mothers. Also, from these three aspects of stressors, parental relationship and parent's role was the most stressful dimension. Due to inevitability of hospitalization of premature newborn in NICU. It is suggested that after premature birth, parents especially mothers should be prepared for first NICU face with their child and making appropriate communication with newborn and NICU environment and paying more attention in playing a good parents role consider, as the bases of family centered services.
Masumeh Akbarbegloo, Leila Valizadeh and Maliheh Asadollahi, 2013. Sources of Parental Stress in Neonatal Intensive Care Units. The Social Sciences, 8: 574-578.