Nursing networks in the NICU and their association with maternal stress: A pilot study

Abstract

Aims This pilot study explored how maternal stress experienced in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is affected by the individual nursing structure and the network that provides care to extremely preterm infants. Background Mothers experience high stress when their extremely preterm infants are hospitalized in the NICU. This often translates into maladaptive parenting behaviours that negatively affect the long‐term cognitive, social, and emotional development of the infant. Efforts to identify modifiable sources of maternal stress in the NICU could lead to improvement in maternal engagement and, ultimately, long‐term neurodevelopmental outcomes. Method Time‐ and date‐stamped nursing shift data were extracted from the medical record and transformed into five structural nursing metrics with resultant nurse data networks. These were then analysed for associations with maternal stress outcomes on the Parental Stressor Scale (PSS: NICU). Results Infants experienced highly variable nursing care and networks of nurses throughout their hospitalization. This variability is associated with the PSS: NICU (a) Sights and Sounds and (b) Altered Parental Role subscales. Conclusion Nursing structure and the resultant caregiving network have an impact on maternal stress. Implications for Nursing Management Changing the pattern of nurse staffing may be a modifiable intervention target for reducing maternal stress in the NICU.

Micro-preemie Parents' Perceptions of Trauma-Informed Developmental Neuroprotective Care and Nursing Support

“…Nearly 86% of parents felt that nurses “almost always” Responded to my worries or concerns. Parents developed strong trusting relationships with the nurses, particularly with the infant's primary nursing team similar to recent studies 9,38…”

Mapping the Field in Stress, Anxiety, and Postpartum Depression in Mothers of Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care

“…In addition, research has highlighted the importance of certain interventions, such as the kangaroo method, involving different positions of premature infants, as comfort measures that reduce stress by improving the stability of vital signs [ 63 ]. Similarly, it is considered that nursing care could be spurred through the use of electronic health records, such as mobile apps, as it could be helpful to reduce maternal stress [ 64 ].…”

“…In addition, it can have a negative impact on the attachment between mother and child. Understanding this relationship allows early intervention to prevent the development of PPD and to strengthen mother–child interaction [ 4 , 64 ]. In addition, the concept of the infant is highlighted, as this condition can largely determine the life of the newborn with negative aspects for the infant [ 67 ].…”

Adaptación cultural y validación de Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit en padres mexicanos

“…Dado que el objetivo de este estudio es la adaptación, validez de contenido y confiabilidad de la versión de la Escala de Estrés Parental: Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Neonatales para su aplicación en padres mexicanos, obtuvimos información significativa sobre cómo los padres experimentan la hospitalización y el nivel de estrés que se genera desde varios aspectos, tanto psicosociales como del entorno, tal como lo identificaron Gonya y colaboradores 26 en su estudio en donde el estrés materno se ve afectado, por un lado, por la estructura de la unidad y por el otro, afecta la estructura de la enfermería individual en cuanto al cuidado. En consecuencia, resulta imprescindible modificar el actuar del profesional de Enfermería a través de intervenciones dirigidas a la identificación del grado de estrés de los padres y de la forma en cómo viven la hospitalización, ya que esto facilitaría la disminución en los niveles de estrés ante dicha situación 27 .…”