Parents' responses to stress in the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Background Parents' stress resulting from hospitalization of their infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) produces emotional and behavioral responses. The National Institutes of Health-sponsored Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) offers a valid and efficient means of assessing parents' responses. Objective To examine the relationship of stress to anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disruption among parents of infants hospitalized in the NICU. Methods Thirty parents completed the Parental Stressor Scale (PSS:NICU) containing subscales for NICU Sights and Sounds, Infant Behavior and Appearance, and Parental Role Alteration, and the PROMIS anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disturbance short-form instruments. Results PSS total score was significantly correlated with anxiety (r = 0.61), depression (r = 0.36), and sleep disturbance (r = 0.60). Scores for NICU Sights and Sounds were not significantly correlated with parents' outcomes; however, scores for Alteration in Parenting Role were correlated with all 4 outcomes, and scores for Infant Appearance were correlated with all except fatigue. Conclusion Stress experienced by parents of NICU infants is associated with a concerning constellation of physical and emotional outcomes comprising anxiety, depression, fatigue, and sleep disruption.

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1

Boxplot of parent PROMIS T-Scores evaluated against general populations scores. Note: Boxplot of parent scores, median = line within box, interquartile range = shaded box, vertical lines = minimum, and maximum. Population horizontal lines, mean = 50 (solid horizontal line) and mean plus 1 SD (60, dotted line) and mean plus 2 SD’s (70, dashed line).