Stressors experienced by parents of hospitalized infants in the Neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

The hospitalization of an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) presents significant stressors for parents, encompassing the physical environment, the infant’s appearance and behavior, and shifts in parental roles. This study aimed to investigate the association between parental stress levels and these stressors in the NICU setting. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional survey design was utilized, involving a sample of 376 parents selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using structured questionnaires, which included demographic variables and the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The results revealed that the most significant source of stress for parents was the appearance and behavior of their infant (M = 3.76, SD = 0.914), whereas exposure to visual and auditory stimuli was identified as the least stressful factor (M = 3.56, SD = 0.918). In conclusion, parents of NICU-admitted infants experience substantial psychological distress due to multiple factors, including their infant’s medical condition, the NICU environment, interactions with healthcare providers, and alterations in parental roles. These findings underscore the profound emotional burden placed on parents during their infant’s hospitalization and highlight the need for targeted interventions to mitigate parental stress in the NICU.