title: Stress Management among Parents of Neonates Hospitalized in NICU: A Qualitative Study.
abstract: Introduction:Infant hospitalization is stressful event for parent in NICU. Parents think that they have lost control because of unfamiliar environment. Therefore, stress management is very important in this period. The family as the main factor of strength and protection for infant is required as the bases of standard care in NICU. Therefore the aim of this study was to investigate stress management in Iranian NICU Parents.Methods:Using qualitative content analysis approach helped to collect and analysis data for open coding, classification, and theme abstraction. Twenty one parents with hospitalized neonates, physicians and nurses in the city of Isfahan were purposely recruited and selected for in-depth interviews.Results:The analyzed content revealed unique stress management approaches among the parents. The main themes were: 1) spirituality, 2) seeking information, 3) Seeking hope, 4) maintaining calm, 5) attachment to infant, and 6) communicating with the medical teamConclusion:Findings of this study highlights the importance of medical team's attention to stressed parents who are trying to make adjustment or adapt to the hospitalization of their infant. A revised management approach to address the emotional needs of parents of neonates in Iran seems essential for improving communication with physicians and nurses.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Modeling in Health Research Center, Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Haydeh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heidari
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Marzieh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hasanpour
authors.affiliation: Fulbright Scholar and Professor at Florida State University, College of Nursing, United States.
authors.forename: Marjan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fooladi
keywords: Infant; NICU; Parents; Qualitative content analysis; Stress