Crisis intervention in a newborn nursery intensive care unit.

Premature birth of a defective infant challenges personal and family integrity, and immediate intervention is optimal in reaching a positive outcome. The G. case exemplifies many aspects of crisis theory; worker intervention was built around them. As the G. family struggled with the impact of a severely damaged infant, a broad range of worker techniques, based on the parents' strengths and personal backgrounds, was required. Intervention was significant in effecting a positive resolution. This article details the events endured by the G. family, and the way in which they experienced them during their baby's first 3 weeks of life.