Predictors of readiness for discharge in mothers of preterm infants: The role of stress, self-efficacy and perceived social support

Objective: To determine the predictive role of stress, self-efficacy, and perceived social support on readiness for discharge in mothers of preterm infants. Methods: The present cross-sectional, descriptive-analytical study was conducted on 120 mothers of preterm infants admitted to hospitals affiliated to Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran in 2019. Participants were selected by a convenience sampling method and based on inclusion criteria. Data collection tools included the demographic questionnaire of mothers and infants, parent perceptions of their child′s hospital discharge, parental stressor scale: neonatal intensive care unit, perceived maternal parenting, and multidimensional scale of perceived social support. Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and stepwise regression at the significance level of 0.05. Results: Infant behavior and appearance, situational belief, and family support achieved the highest mean score from parents′ stress, self-efficacy, and perceived social support dimensions, respectively. There was a significant relationship between stress, self-efficacy, and perceived social support with readiness for discharge in mothers of preterm infants (P<0.001). The score of mothers′ readiness for discharge decreased by 0.07 per 1-point increase in stress score, and the score of readiness for discharge in mothers of preterm infants rose by 0.35 and 0.43, respectively, for a unit increase in the scores of self-efficacy and perceived social support. Conclusions: Stress, self-efficacy, and perceived social support can be considered as predictors of readiness for discharge in mothers of preterm infants. It is suggested that nurses in neonatal intensive care units provide a better platform for the readiness for discharge in mothers of preterm infants by reducing stressors and increasing maternal self-efficacy and social support.