Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Science Communicator Platform

Stay connected! Follow us on X network (Twitter):
Share this content! On (X network) By
The Impact of Nicu Client-Centered, Written, and Visual Reporting on Maternal Stress and Attachment Post-Infant Heart Surgery Publisher



Jokar M1 ; Mirlashari J2 ; Begjani J1 ; Ranjbar H3 ; Taheri L4
Authors
Show Affiliations
Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. Seattle University, College of Nursing, Seattle, WA, United States
  3. 3. Mental Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  4. 4. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran

Source: Journal of Neonatal Nursing Published:2025


Abstract

Background: In this study, we explored the impact of client-centered, written and visual reporting based on the Newborn Individualized Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) approach on stress levels and attachment among mothers with neonates hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit following open heart surgery. Methods: The clinical trial involved 70 mothers with an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit following heart surgery at Children's Medical Center in Tehran. Eligible participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (35 mothers) or the intervention group (35 mothers). While the control group adhered to regular daily visits to their sick infant as part of the hospital routine, the intervention group in addition to these visits, received daily written and visual reports, based on the NIDCAP approach standards for a week through WhatsApp messenger. Maternal Stress levels and attachment were assessed on the 7th day and again two weeks post-intervention. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS software. Results: The intervention group experienced a significant reduction in stress levels. Mean stress levels decreased from 102.57 ± 30.8 to 72.25 ± 15.81 on the day 7th. Two weeks post-intervention, the average stress level further decreased to 62.08 ± 15.00(p < 0.05). Interestingly there was a slight increase in attachment score in the intervention group after one week. However, at the end of the study, there was no significant difference between the intervention and control groups. Conclusion: Client-centered reporting based on the NIDCAP approach could substantially reduce stress levels among mothers with hospitalized newborns in neonatal cardiac surgery units. Especially when the constant presence of parents at the newborn's bedside is not possible, this approach could be considered a practical, innovative, and effective method to reduce maternal stress levels in the NICUs after heart surgery. © 2024 Neonatal Nurses Association
Related Docs
1. Health Care Staff Support for Mothers in Nicu: A Focused Ethnography Study, BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth (2021)
2. The Effect of Narrative Writing on Maternal Stress in Neonatal Intensive Care Settings, Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (2015)
3. An Exploration of the Viewpoints of Parents and Nurses on Care Provision in Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Iranian Journal of Neonatology (2015)
4. Evaluation of the Effect of Narrative Writing on the Stress Sources of the Parents of Preterm Neonates Admitted to the Nicu, Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine (2017)
5. Effectiveness of an Internet-Based Education on Maternal Satisfaction in Nicus, Patient Education and Counseling (2017)
Experts (# of related papers)
Reza Negarandeh (1)
Marzieh Hasanpour (1)