scholarly journals The Soundscape of Neonatal Intensive Care: A Mixed-Methods Study of the Parents’ Experience

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 644
Author(s):  
Maria Chifa ◽  
Tamar Hadar ◽  
Nina Politimou ◽  
Gemma Reynolds ◽  
Fabia Franco
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Parental Experience ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Open Question ◽  
The Impact

Parents who have infants hospitalised in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) experience high levels of stress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, whether sounds contribute to parents’ stress remains largely unknown. Critically, researchers lack a comprehensive instrument to investigate the relationship between sounds in NICUs and parental stress. To address this gap, this report presents the “Soundscape of NICU Questionnaire” (SON-Q), which was developed specifically to capture parents’ perceptions and beliefs about the impact that sound had on them and their infants, from pre-birth throughout the NICU stay and in the first postdischarge period. Parents of children born preterm (n = 386) completed the SON-Q and the Perinatal PTSD Questionnaire (PPQ). Principal Component Analysis identifying underlying dimensions comprising the parental experience of the NICU soundscape was followed by an exploration of the relationships between subscales of the SON-Q and the PPQ. Moderation analysis was carried out to further elucidate relationships between variables. Finally, thematic analysis was employed to analyse one memory of sounds in NICU open question. The results highlight systematic associations between aspects of the NICU soundscape and parental stress/trauma. The findings underscore the importance of developing specific studies in this area and devising interventions to best support parents’ mental health, which could in turn support infants’ developmental outcomes.

Communicating with parents in neonatal intensive care units: The impact on parental stress

2017 ◽  
Vol 100 (4) ◽  
pp. 710-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Enke ◽  
Andrés Oliva y Hausmann ◽  
Felix Miedaner ◽  
Bernhard Roth ◽  
Christiane Woopen
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
The Impact

Examining perceptions of stress, wellbeing and fear among Hungarian adolescents and their parents under lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabor Csikos ◽  
Krisztina Dr Törő ◽  
Judit Mokos ◽  
Sandor Rozsa ◽  
Hadházi Éva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Family Relationships ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Natural Catastrophes ◽  
Parents And Children ◽  
Wellbeing Index ◽  
The Family ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
Open Question

Intensified anxiety responses and even symptoms of post-traumatic stress are commonly observed under quarantine conditions. In this study, the effects on fear, anxiety and wellbeing of the recent pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 were investigated in a sample of otherwise healthy Hungarians. Taking the family as a microsystem, differences in gender, age, family relationships and time spent in isolation were the main focus of this investigation. 346 parent-child dyads were examined; the children were 11-17 years of age. Standard psychological questionnaires (Perceived Stress Scale, WHO Wellbeing Index), and an open question test (the Metamorphosis test) were used, and the results analysed with the aid of basic statistical methods. Stress levels and wellbeing displayed a significant negative correlation with each other in both parents and children. Parental stress and levels of wellbeing had a weak but significant impact on the wellbeing of their children. Among the demographic variables examined, none of them was found to explain the wellbeing or stress level of parents. Natural catastrophes, such as pandemics, create a stressful social environment for parents, and therefore directly impact the psychological wellbeing of all family members.

Post intensive care syndrome prevention and impact of COVID 19

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 112-117
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Alefragkis
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Post Traumatic Stress ◽  
Maximum Increase ◽  
Post Traumatic ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Post Intensive Care Syndrome

In recent years, there has been a maximum increase in admissions to the intensive care unit, culminating in an exponential increase in admissions during the COVID 19 pandemic. Many patients who survived and were discharged from the intensive care unit have cognitive, physical, and psychological disorders that are reflected in the term post-intensive care syndrome. Patients and their families show symptoms of anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress, and sleep problems. The result is that they negatively affect their quality of life. Numerous risk factors contribute to the development of this syndrome, mainly the sedation, the duration of mechanical ventilation, and the length of stay in the intensive care unit. For this reason, it is necessary to take measures to prevent this syndrome including ABCDEFGH care plan, physical rehabilitation, nutritional support, and intensive care unit diaries. Care must also be given to the creation of Post Intensive care unit clinics where they have a diagnostic, therapeutic, counseling, and rehabilitation role that will act as assistants in the care of patients after discharge from the intensive care unit. Also, special care should be taken with patients who have recovered from COVID 19 whose needs are increasing and need immediate treatment. This review aims to analyze post-intensive care syndrome, prevention measures, and the impact of COVID 19. In conclusion, it is necessary to take measures to treat post-intensive care unit syndrome with early diagnosis and treatment, to reduce the adverse effects on both patients and their families.

scholarly journals Psychological Wellbeing of Parents with Infants Admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit during SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Children ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 755
Author(s):  
Laura Polloni ◽  
Francesco Cavallin ◽  
Elisabetta Lolli ◽  
Rossana Schiavo ◽  
Martina Bua ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Physical Contact ◽  
Psychological Wellbeing ◽  
Depression Symptoms ◽  
Parental Role ◽  
The Impact

The current SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) pandemic is a sudden major stressor superimposed on pre-existing high distress in parents of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This study aimed to investigate the psychological wellbeing of NICU parents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Forty-four parents of 25 inpatients of the Padua University Hospital NICU were included from June 2020 to February 2021. At 7–14 days postpartum parents completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), Parental Stressor Scale: NICU (PSS:NICU) and an ad-hoc questionnaire measuring parental COVID-19 related stress. About one third of parents reported extreme/high stress and a relevant negative impact on parenthood experience. Less time (82%) and less physical contact (73%) with infants due to COVID-19 preventive measures were the most frequent negative factors. Higher COVID-19 related parental stress was positively associated with anxiety, depression, NICU parental stress, stress related to NICU environment, and parental role alterations. Depression symptoms, stress related to infant condition and parental role alterations were higher in mothers. The pandemic affected parental emotional and relational wellbeing directly through additional stress due to COVID-19 concerns and indirectly through the impact of restrictions on the experience of becoming parents.

scholarly journals Utilization pattern of kangaroo mother care after introduction in eight selected neonatal intensive care units in China

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xin Liu ◽  
Zhankui Li ◽  
Xiaohui Chen ◽  
Bei Cao ◽  
Shaojie Yue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Preterm Infants ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Infant Health ◽  
Kangaroo Mother Care ◽  
Respiratory Support ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Parental Experience

Abstract Background: Kangaroo mother care (KMC) is an evidence-based and cost-effective intervention that could prevent severe complications for preterm babies, however it has not been widely adopted in China. In this study, we aim to investigate the feasibility and parental experience of adopting KMC in a Chinese context by studying the implementation of a KMC program in eight self-selected neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).Methods: A cross-sectional study of 135 preterm infants discharged from eight NICUs in April 2018. For infants information was collected on postnatal day and corrected gestational age (GA) at KMC initiation, frequency and duration of KMC provision and whether the infant was receiving respiratory support. A nurse-administered questionnaire on parents’ knowledge and experience of KMC provision was administered to parents providing KMC.Results: 135 preterm infants received KMC, 21.2% of all preterm infants discharged. 91.1% of those who received KMC were below 34 weeks GA, 91.1% had a birth weight below 2000g, and 20.7% needed respiratory support at KMC initiation. Average KMC exposure was greater in infants born at GA <28 weeks that babies born at greater GA. 94.8% of parents that participated in the parental survey indicated that KMC was positively accepted by their family members; 60.4% of the parents claimed that KMC could relieve anxiety, 57.3% claimed it prompted more interactions with medical staff and 69.8% suggested it increased parental confidence in care for their infants.Conclusions: After advocacy, training and promotion, intermittent KMC was initiated on more immature and high-risk infants, and well-accepted by parents. We suggest continuing to promote KMC education to parents and enhancing preterm infant health.

The impact of early transfer bias in a growth study among neonatal intensive care units

2003 ◽  
Vol 56 (10) ◽  
pp. 998-1005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Irene E Olsen ◽  
Douglas K Richardson ◽  
Christopher H Schmid ◽  
Lynne M Ausman ◽  
Johanna T Dwyer
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Intensive Care Units ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
Growth Study ◽  
Early Transfer ◽  
The Impact

scholarly journals Parental Stress, Depression, and Participation in Care Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Observational Study in an Italian Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jenny Bua ◽  
Ilaria Mariani ◽  
Martina Girardelli ◽  
Murphy Tomadin ◽  
Antonella Tripani ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care ◽  
Parental Stress ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Units ◽  
Parental Participation ◽  
Time Period ◽  
Moderate Positive Correlation ◽  
Stressor Scale

Background: Recent studies reported, during the COVID-19 pandemic, increased mental distress among the general population and among women around the childbirth period. COVID-19 pandemic may undermine the vulnerable well-being of parents in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICUs).Objective: Our study aimed to explore whether parental stress, depression, and participation in care in an Italian NICU changed significantly over three periods: pre-pandemic (T0), low (T1), and high COVID-19 incidence (T2).Methods: Enrolled parents were assessed with the Parental Stressor Scale in the NICU (PSS:NICU), Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and Index of Parental Participation (IPP). Stress was the study primary outcome. A sample of 108 parents, 34 for each time period, was estimated to be adequate to detect a difference in PSS:NICU stress occurrence level score (SOL) of 1.25 points between time periods. To estimate score differences among the three study periods a non-parametric analysis was performed. Correlation among scores was assessed with Spearman rank coefficient.Results: Overall, 152 parents were included in the study (62 in T0, 56 in T1, and 34 in T2). No significant differences in the median PSS:NICU, EPDS, and IPP scores were observed over the three periods, except for a slight increase in the PSS:NICU parental role sub-score in T2 (T0 3.3 [2.3–4.1] vs. T2 3.9 [3.1–4.3]; p = 0.038). In particular, the question regarding the separation from the infant resulted the most stressful aspect during T2 (T0 4.0 [4.0–5.0] vs. T2 5.0 [4.0–5.0], p = 0.008). The correlation between participation and stress scores (r = 0.19–022), and between participation and depression scores (r = 0.27) were weak, while among depression and stress, a moderate positive correlation was found (r = 0.45–0.48).Conclusions: This study suggests that parental stress and depression may be contained during the COVID-19 pandemic, while participation may be ensured.

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