Culturally sensitive stress management strategies for parents of preterm infants in the NICU: a systematic review of qualitative evidence protocol.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Parenting a preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a profoundly stressful experience, shaped by clinical uncertainty, physical separation and emotional vulnerability. Although stress management strategies-such as counselling, peer support and psychoeducation-are commonly available in NICU settings, little is known about how parents experience these forms of support when they are intended to be culturally sensitive or delivered within diverse cultural contexts. Cultural values, beliefs and practices shape how parents interpret stress and engage with support, highlighting the need to synthesise qualitative evidence on parents' lived experiences of culturally sensitive stress management strategies during NICU hospitalisation.

Methods and analysi

SUBMITTER: Chen YC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12927289 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature