title: Normative cultural values and the experiences of Mexican-American mothers in the neonatal intensive care unit.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the experiences of Mexican-American mothers who have had infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).
  
  
  METHODS
  A convenience sample of 15 English-speaking, Mexican-American women was interviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used an exploratory qualitative approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data collection was conducted through audiotaped, transcribed, semistructured, individual interviews and field notes. The 5 normative cultural values for Latino families-(1) simpatia, (2) personalismo, (3) respeto, (4) familismo, and (5) fatalismo-were used as a sensitizing framework to guide data interpretation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The women's discussions of their NICU experiences clearly reflect the 5 normative Latino cultural values. Positive and negative exemplars of these values are provided as evidence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings can be used to inform nursing care provided for Mexican-American mothers and their infants by assisting nurses to customize care to meet the cultural needs of this population.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 78229, USA. clevelandl@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Cleveland
authors.forename: Sharon D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Horner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D054521:Cultural Competency; D003469:Culture; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015931:Intensive Care, Neonatal / Q000523:psychology*; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D017058:Mexican Americans / Q000523:psychology*; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires