Paula M Prouhet1, Mary R Gregory, Cynthia L Russell, Lauren H Yaeger. 1. College of Nursing, University of Missouri-St Louis (Ms Prouhet); Developmental and Behavioral Sciences, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri (Ms Gregory); School of Nursing and Health Studies, University of Missouri-Kansas City (Dr Russell); and St Louis Children's Hospital Medical Library, St Louis, Missouri (Ms Yaeger).
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is stressful for parents. Nurses often focus on maternal well-being and fail to acknowledge the stress of fathers. Research on fathers' psychological stress is limited. PURPOSE: A systematic review of the literature was completed to examine the extent of psychological stress and types of stressors in fathers with infants admitted to the NICU. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY: A search of Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE was conducted to identify descriptive and observational studies reporting father-specific stress in the NICU. Studies using observational and descriptive designs, published in English, and reporting father-specific stress outcomes during a NICU admission were eligible for inclusion. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were used for quality assessment. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Fathers find the NICU environment stressful and are more stressed than fathers of full-term, healthy infants. Parental role alteration, infant appearance, NICU environment, and staff communication are stressors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE/RESEARCH: By recognizing the extent and types of psychological stress in fathers, nurses can provide better support for fathers in their new role. Younger fathers and those with very low birth-weight premature infants may need additional support and resources. Future research on fathers' stress should include larger sample sizes, diverse populations, and tool development and evaluation.
BACKGROUND: Admission to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is stressful for parents. Nurses often focus on maternal well-being and fail to acknowledge the stress of fathers. Research on fathers' psychological stress is limited. PURPOSE: A systematic review of the literature was completed to examine the extent of psychological stress and types of stressors in fathers with infants admitted to the NICU. METHODS/SEARCH STRATEGY: A search of Ovid MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and EMBASE was conducted to identify descriptive and observational studies reporting father-specific stress in the NICU. Studies using observational and descriptive designs, published in English, and reporting father-specific stress outcomes during a NICU admission were eligible for inclusion. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines were used for quality assessment. RESULTS: Fifteen studies met inclusion criteria. Fathers find the NICU environment stressful and are more stressed than fathers of full-term, healthy infants. Parental role alteration, infant appearance, NICU environment, and staff communication are stressors. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE/RESEARCH: By recognizing the extent and types of psychological stress in fathers, nurses can provide better support for fathers in their new role. Younger fathers and those with very low birth-weight premature infants may need additional support and resources. Future research on fathers' stress should include larger sample sizes, diverse populations, and tool development and evaluation.
Authors: Nicole R van Veenendaal; Sophie R D van der Schoor; Birit F P Broekman; Femke de Groof; Henriette van Laerhoven; Maartje E N van den Heuvel; Judith J M Rijnhart; J Hans B van Goudoever; Anne A M W van Kempen Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2022-01-04
Authors: Nicole R van Veenendaal; Anne A M W van Kempen; Linda S Franck; Karel O'Brien; Jacqueline Limpens; Johanna H van der Lee; Johannes B van Goudoever; Sophie R D van der Schoor Journal: EClinicalMedicine Date: 2020-06-06
Authors: Brittany N Edwards; Monica R McLemore; Kimberly Baltzell; Allen Hodgkin; Olga Nunez; Linda S Franck Journal: BMC Pregnancy Childbirth Date: 2020-02-10 Impact factor: 3.007
Authors: Karianne E Kraft; Artur C Jaschke; Anne-Greet Ravensbergen; Annet Feenstra-Weelink; Maud E L van Goor; Marlou L A de Kroon; Sijmen A Reijneveld; Arend F Bos; Nienke H van Dokkum Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-07-02 Impact factor: 3.390