In Review
Parenting in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1552-6909.2008.00288.xGet rights and content

ABSTRACT

Objective

A systematic review of the literature was conducted to answer the following 2 questions: (a) What are the needs of parents who have infants in the neonatal intensive care unit? (b) What behaviors support parents with an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit?

Data Sources

Using the search terms “parents or parenting” and the “neonatal intensive care unit,” computer library databases including Medline and CINAHL were searched for qualitative and quantitative studies. Only research published in English between 1998 and 2008 was included in the review.

Study Selection

Based on the inclusion criteria, 60 studies were selected.

Data Extraction

Study contents were analyzed with the 2 research questions in mind.

Data Synthesis

Existing research was organized into 1 of 3 tables based on the question answered. Nineteen articles addressed the first question, 24 addressed the second, and 17 addressed both.

Conclusions

Six needs were identified for parents who had an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit: (a) accurate information and inclusion in the infant's care, (b) vigilant watching-over and protecting the infant, (c) contact with the infant, (d) being positively perceived by the nursery staff, (e) individualized care, and (f) a therapeutic relationship with the nursing staff. Four nursing behaviors were identified to assist parents in meeting these needs: (a) emotional support, (b) parent empowerment, (c) a welcoming environment with supportive unit policies, and (d) parent education with an opportunity to practice new skills through guided participation.

Section snippets

Methods

A systematic review of both qualitative and quantitative research was conducted to identify what is known about the needs of NICU parents and what behaviors support these parents. Both methods of research were included because of the potential for each to contribute to a more complete understanding of this topic. A systematic review was employed because it results in a scientific, reproducible, summary of original research findings with clearly stated inclusion and exclusion criteria. This

Results

After carefully reviewing the findings of each study, the author determined that 19 studies addressed parenting needs (see Table 1), 24 addressed supportive behaviors (see Table 2), and 17 addressed both (see Table 3). The studies were then organized according to research methodology. Of the 19 with a focus on parenting needs, 5 of the studies utilized quantitative methods and 14 were qualitative. Of the studies addressing parent support in the NICU, 19 were quantitative, 2 were mixed methods,

Discussion

The results of this literature review need to be considered when setting priorities for nursing care in the NICU and a compilation of recommendations is provided (see Table 5). Student nurses as well as experienced nurses must continue to be educated about the needs of parents in the NICU. If not already set in place, unit policies can be adopted that assure the parent's need to receive complete and accurate information about their infant is met. Effective collaboration between nurses,

Recommendations for Future Research

Although there has been significant research in the area of parenting in the NICU over the past 10 years, several study populations have been consistently excluded. Most of what is known on this topic has been studied with a primarily White, middle class, female, population (Broeder 2003, Browne and Talmi 2005, Bruns and McCollum 2002, Fenwick et al., 2001, Fenwick et al., 2001, Fenwick et al., 2002, Glazebrook et al., 2007, Heerman et al., 2005, Hurst 2001, Hurst 2001, Hurst 2006, Lupton and

Conclusion

While great strides have been made in research pertaining to parenting in the NICU, there is a need for continued study of this topic. Therefore, parental needs in the NICU as well as nursing behaviors to address these needs should remain a priority for nurse researchers. Nurses have a responsibility to provide evidence-based care that is effective and meets the needs of this vulnerable population of patients. The focus of nursing is “the alleviation of suffering through the diagnosis and

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