title: A psychospiritual, family-centered theory of care for mothers in the NICU.
abstract: Weighing less than three pounds four ounces, very low birthweight infants account for 1.4% of births and 46% of infant deaths in the U.S. Mothers of these infants often endure significant suffering while witnessing their children struggle for life. By examining their psychological and theological needs, and drawing on a mother's lived experience, this article develops a psychospiritual, family-centered theory of care to aid chaplains in providing spiritual care to mothers in the NICU.
authors.affiliation: Pastoral Counseling Department, Loyola University Maryland, Columbia, Maryland 21045, USA. jlsnodgrass@loyola.edu
authors.forename: Jill L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Snodgrass
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002604:Chaplaincy Service, Hospital / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods; D002977:Clergy / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology*; D010327:Pastoral Care / Q000941:ethics* / Q000379:methods; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D029181:Spirituality; D014481:United States