The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: Environmental Stressors and Supports

Kristen G. Williams, Kayla T. Patel, Julie M. Stausmire, Christy Bridges, Mary W. Mathis and Jennifer L. Barkin
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Kristen G. Williams: School of Medicine, Mercer University, 1550 College Street, Macon, GA 31207, USA
Kayla T. Patel: School of Medicine, Mercer University, 1550 College Street, Macon, GA 31207, USA
Julie M. Stausmire: Mercy St. Vincent Medical Center, Academic Research Coordinator, 2222 Cherry St. Suite 1300 MOB 2, Toledo, OH 43608, USA
Christy Bridges: School of Medicine, Mercer University, 1550 College Street, Macon, GA 31207, USA
Mary W. Mathis: College of Health Professions, Mercer University, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 31404, USA
Jennifer L. Barkin: School of Medicine, Mercer University, 1550 College Street, Macon, GA 31207, USA

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-13

Abstract: The relationship between maternal mental health and infant development has been established in the literature. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a particularly challenging environment for new mothers as several natural processes are disrupted. The objective of this study is to elucidate protective factors and environmental deficits associated with the NICU. The experiences of forty-six ( n = 46) mothers of infants admitted to a Level III NICU in the Midwestern United States, who responded to a related open-ended question, were analyzed thematically. Five themes related to the NICU environment emerged as being either stressful or helpful: (1) amount and quality of communication with medical staff, (2) bedside manner of medical staff, (3) feeling alienated from infant’s care, (4) support from other NICU mothers and families, and (5) NICU Physical Environment and Regulations. There is a need for medical staff training on awareness, communication, empathy, and other behaviors that might improve maternal (and parental) experiences in the NICU. The physical environment, including rules and regulations of the NICU, should be reexamined with family comfort in mind in addition to the clinical care of the infant.

Keywords: NICU; NICU environment; maternal mental health; maternal functioning (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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