Examining the Needs and Stress Levels of Fathers with Infants Receiving Neonatal Intensive Care
Date
2018-06-13
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Abstract
Background: Ghanaian fathers are the primary decision-makers in all aspects of the family, including health care. However, the needs and stress levels of fathers whose infants are receiving neonatal intensive care remains largely unknown resulting in limited paternal involvement in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Objectives: The study examined the stress levels and needs of fathers during the hospitalization of their infants in the NICU and whether infant and father characteristics predicts the needs or stress levels of fathers. Method: A cross-sectional study in which eighty fathers completed the Fathers’ Support Scale: NICU and the Parental Stressor Scale: NICU questionnaire together with infant and father demographic information. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, hierarchal multiple regression, and correlation. Results: The most important need for fathers in the NICU is support from neonatal nurses to learn more about their baby. Secondly, Ghanaian fathers were stressed by their inability to have a relationship with their baby and assume their parental role during the NICU admission. Lastly, this study indicated that the higher the needs of fathers in the NICU, the higher their stress levels. Conclusion: Ghanaian fathers whose infants are in the NICU experience stress as their needs are not met. Thus, the findings of this study have implications for nursing practice and policy changes such as open visiting and paternity leave that integrate fathers in the care of their infants in the NICU. Further research is warranted on fathers’ needs and stressors in the NICU more specifically on fathers in low-middle-income countries.
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Fathers, needs, Stress, neonatal intensive care
Citation
Botchway, A. K. (2018). Examining the Needs and Stress Levels of Fathers with Infants Receiving Neonatal Intensive Care (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca. doi:10.11575/PRISM/32010