Determination of Stress and Anxiety Levels of Parents of Infants Staying in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Abstract

Introduction: Anxiety and stress in parents’ lives during their babies' NICU stays can have a negative impact on all family members. This study aimed to measure the stress and anxiety levels of parents of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit receiving oxygen support. Methods: This study was conducted based on cross-sectional design with 123 parents of infants between 1 August 2020 and 01 May 2021. Data was gathered using the "State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI)", "Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU)", and "Parent Information Form and Infant Information Form". Results: The STAI scores of the parents were considered "moderately anxious" and the parents were "moderately stressed" based on the overall mean scores on the PSS: NICU and the mean scores on the subscales of the scale. It was found that parents’ number of children, employment, infant gender, type of delivery, intensive care environment characteristics, parents' communication with health personnel, and health condition all influenced their scores on the STAI and PSS: NICU subscales. Conclusion: Providing a holistic and family-centred approach to parents, the closest relatives of their infants who will create future generations as well as educational and counselling roles played by nurses and reducing stress and anxiety experienced by parents, will have a positive impact on neonatal health.