https://doi.org/10.4081/scenario.2024.578
COVID-19 pandemic impact on mothers of preterm newborns in NICU: observational study on experiences and maternal-infant attachment
Submitted: 11 January 2024
Accepted: 27 March 2024
Published: 9 April 2024
Accepted: 27 March 2024
Abstract Views: 168
PDF (Italiano): 121
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All claims expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of their affiliated organizations, or those of the publisher, the editors and the reviewers. Any product that may be evaluated in this article or claim that may be made by its manufacturer is not guaranteed or endorsed by the publisher.
Authors
Introduction: the COVID-19 pandemic caused significant variations in health services and care pathways. Severe access restrictions to NICUs increased the risk of maternal-infant attachment breakdown.
Aim: to investigate the experiences of mothers of preterm infants admitted to NICUs during the pandemic.
Materials and methods: an observational study of mothers of preterm infants was conducted in a NICU in Naples from June 2021 to March 2022. Data were collected during and after hospitalization using two questionnaires and four evaluation scales.
Results: the results showed that more than 90% of the mothers suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder. Situational stress was high across all measured indices. The perceived nursing support was 3.57/5, and the postnatal maternal attachment was 82.95/93.
Discussion: stress and difficulty managing emotions had a significant negative impact on the mothers and their parental role; however, the nursing care received facilitated the development of a positive attachment with the newborn.
Conclusions: neonatal nurses provided valuable human and professional support to mothers of preterm infants. In the future, it will be necessary to implement organizational models that aim to reduce the separation of parents and infants.
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How to Cite
Piccolo, R., El Sayed, S., & Bove, D. (2024). COVID-19 pandemic impact on mothers of preterm newborns in NICU: observational study on experiences and maternal-infant attachment. Scenario® - Il Nursing Nella Sopravvivenza, 41(1). https://doi.org/10.4081/scenario.2024.578
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