Title
INCREASING PARENT CONFIDENCE AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE NICU: AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EDUCATIONAL GUIDE
Date of Award
2023
Document Type
Scholarly Project
Degree Name
Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD)
Department
Occupational Therapy
First Advisor
Wanda Lauer
Abstract
Research shows that 40% of mothers with preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) reported feelings of depression, and 23% reported experiencing post-traumatic stress symptoms, with that number increasing to 40% after discharge (Harris et al., 2018). Factors that contributed to this included a lack of social support, a lack of empowerment, perceived less capability in their new roles, and the stressful experiences that can happen in this setting (Matricardi et al., 2013; Sabnis et al., 2019). A similar study found that at discharge, 69.8% of parents reported that they were not confident in providing the necessary care to their infant without the support of the NICU providers and 47.2% reported that their infant required complex home care post-discharge. Parents also reported that returning to their daily routine took roughly 4 to 11 months post-discharge (Jiménez-Palomares et al., 2021). Occupational therapy has a significant role in this setting by facilitating parents’ involvement in their care while also increasing their confidence to continue care at discharge (Harris et al., 2018; Reynolds et al., 2013).
Recommended Citation
Berginski, Megan D., "INCREASING PARENT CONFIDENCE AND INVOLVEMENT IN THE NICU: AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY EDUCATIONAL GUIDE" (2023). Occupational Therapy Capstones. 546.
https://commons.und.edu/ot-grad/546