Investigating Father or Partner Involvement in Family Integrated Care in Neonatal Units: Protocol for a Prospective, Multicenter, Multiphase Study

ABSTRACT:

Background

Neonatal unit (NU) admissions for premature babies can last for months, which can significantly impact parental mental health (MH) with symptoms of depression, stress, and anxiety. Literature suggests fathers experience comparable MH symptoms to mothers. Family integrated care (FICare) is a culture where parents are collaborators and partners in caring for their hospitalized newborns. FICare improves infant outcomes and maternal MH. Similar reports on fathers are limited.

Objective

The primary aim of this study is to investigate the impact of supporting father or partner engagement in FICare of preterm infants on their MH up to 6 weeks postdischarge. The secondary aim is to investigate the impact on maternal MH.

Methods

This is a 2-phase study: phase 1 to g

SUBMITTER: Rubinstein R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10990416 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature