Parents' Experiences of Psychosocial Support in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

Aim: To explore parents' experiences of psychosocial support in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Design: A qualitative descriptive study.

Methods: The study involved nine individual and three pair interviews; in total, 15 parents described their experiences of psychosocial support in the neonatal intensive care units. The data were analysed using inductive content analysis.

Results: Parents' experiences of psychosocial support consisted of four main categories: (1) supporting parenting; (2) strengthening the sense of security; (3) social support; and (4) mental wellbeing support. Parents described how important it was to receive support in caring for an infant, to be able to participate in decision-making or to feel safe despite a difficult situation.

Conclusion: Even though parents described peer support and trauma-informed care as important forms of support, many NICUs lacked these. The results provide essential information to healthcare professionals, enabling them to understand and support parents. This can increase parental satisfaction and improve the wellbeing of families, as well as support parents during neonatal intensive care and after discharge.

Implications for the profession and patient care: This study provides tailored information on parents' experiences of psychosocial support in neonatal intensive care units. The results can be used in the education of healthcare professionals and to assist them in integrating psychosocial support methods into their practice, such as consistent emotional support.

Impact: The findings emphasise the importance of systematically asking parents about their experiences in order to identify their needs and the various forms of psychosocial support they require. These insights can guide healthcare professionals in providing personalised psychosocial support to parents in NICUs.

Reporting method: The reporting was guided by the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist.

Patient or public contribution: Parents contributed to the study through data collected from the national peer support association (Kevyt) in Finland.