Identification of the Range of Nursing Skills Used to Provide Social Support for Mothers of Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care

Abstract

Background. Hospitalization of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a stressful experience for parents. Iranian NICUs do not have specified levels of care, nor do they integrate supportive methods of parent support such as family-centered care approaches. This study investigated the range and types of neonatal nursing support, as perceived by mothers of preterm infants, and its association with mothers’ satisfaction with infant care in the NICU. Methods. This is a descriptive, correlational study of mothers of preterm infants who were hospitalized in three different NICUs in Iran. A convenience sampling method was used. Data were collected using three questionnaires that identified (i) demographic information; (ii) social support available; and (iii) parent satisfaction with infant care. Results. Mothers (N = 110) generally rated the support from nurses as being moderate. Correlation analysis identified a moderate association of neonatal nurse social support domains for affirmational (r = 0.44) and concrete aid (r = 0.41), a moderately strong association for affectional support (r = 0.64), and total social support (r = 0.60) with mothers’ satisfaction. Conclusion. There were positive associations between social support from nurses and mothers’ satisfaction with the care of their infants. Therefore, planning to promote and create opportunities for neonatal nurses to support mothers in NICU is important to promote increased maternal satisfaction in infant care.

Nurses’ strategies to provide emotional and practical support to the mothers of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A cross-sectional study showed that mothers perceived nursing support in terms of affirmational, concrete aid, and affectional in an acceptable level and the perceived nursing support was significantly associated with mothers’ satisfaction with preterm infant care in the NICU. 47 In another study, the amount of support provided by nurses in the NICU with single-family rooms (SFRs) was compared with the amount of support provided by nurses in an open bay (OB) NICU. The results showed that the presence of mothers in the SFR group had positive consequences including enhancement of the median presence of mothers with their infants, increase of their participation in decision-making and medical rounds, and increase of the nursing support including guidance, information, and emotional support.…”

“…All of them were published in English from 2012 to 2021. Six studies were from Iran, 31,35,42,44,45,47 two from South Korea, 34,41 two from Norway, 28,39 two from the United States, 29,33 one was from Canada, 32 one from Japan, 38 one from Denmark, 30 one from Jordan, 46 one from France, 40 one from Italy, 36 one from Sweden, 43 and one from Turkey. 37…”

Effects of Benson Relaxation Technique and Music Therapy on the Anxiety of Primiparous Women Prior to Cesarean Section: A Randomized Controlled Trial

“…Implication for Practice. One of the important roles of nurses during patient care is to identify patients' anxiety and apply the most efective method to improve their wellbeing [72,73]. Also, nurses have the responsibility to consider the safety of the anxiety relieving method in patient care.…”

Investigation of social support as a mediator of the relationship between physical and psychological health among hospitalised patients

“…(2) greater maternal satisfaction with neonatal nurses' care for infants in Iran (Eskandari et al, 2021). A study of patients with breast cancer in 83 German hospitals (Lubasch et al, 2021) found higher patient-perceived social support from nurses in institutions with better process organisation (i.e., superior nurse-physician communication and more coordination between different units).…”

“…The literature related specifically to social support from nurses is rather scarce. Increased social support from nurses has been shown to be associated with (1) improved adherence to therapy among patients with tuberculosis in the Philippines (Baniqued et al, 2020) and (2) greater maternal satisfaction with neonatal nurses' care for infants in Iran (Eskandari et al, 2021). A study of patients with breast cancer in 83 German hospitals (Lubasch et al, 2021) found higher patient‐perceived social support from nurses in institutions with better process organisation (i.e., superior nurse‐physician communication and more coordination between different units).…”