Parents' use of nonmedical support services in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Parents frequently identify the need for support while their infant is in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), however, they may simultaneously distance themselves from traditional family and friend support. Recognizing this, many NICUs provide additional nonmedical support services such as social workers, chaplains/religious counselors, and support groups. This article, part of a larger research study, suggests an inverse relationship between social support and the use of supportive services. In addition, parents in this study appear to use support services less often than would be anticipated based on their reports of utility. Suggestions are provided to potentially improve desirability/accessibility of these services.
Nottage
Sage L
SL
Oregon Health and Science University, Child Development and Rehabilitation Center, Portland, Oregon, USA. nottages@ohsu.edu
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003376:Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011586:Psychology, Clinical; D012657:Self-Help Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012944:Social Support; D012948:Social Work Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires