Publications

Fathers’ experiences with their preterm babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit: A multi-method study  (2018)

Authors:
Stefana, A.; Padovani, E. M.; Biban, P.; Lavelli, M.
Title:
Fathers’ experiences with their preterm babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit: A multi-method study
Year:
2018
Type of item:
Articolo in Rivista
Tipologia ANVUR:
Articolo su rivista
Language:
Inglese
Format:
A Stampa
Referee:
Name of journal:
JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING
ISSN of journal:
0309-2402
N° Volume:
74
Number or Folder:
5
Page numbers:
1090-1098
Keyword:
preterm infant; father; NICU; emotional experience
Short description of contents:
Aim. The aim of this study was to investigate fathers’ emotional experiences of the preterm birth and the subsequent stay in NICU. Background. When a baby is born preterm, also the process of preparation for fatherhood is interrupted ahead of time. As a result, preterm birth can impact on fathers with possible negative consequences for the development of father-infant relationship. Method. A multi-method approach was used and included ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews to 20 fathers of preterm babies, self-report questionnaire, and clinical information. Data were analyzed using a mixed-method: a thematic analysis of data from the interviews and quantitative analyses to detect possible clusters of fathers’ emotional experiences, and associations between clusters and fathers’ and/or infants’ characteristics. Results. Two clusters were identified. The “fathers-of-preterm-infants” touched their baby (mean GA: 32.5 weeks) as soon as they were given the opportunity and without fear that they could have harmed their infant. They were struck by their baby’s physical appearance. In contrast, the “preterm-fathers” preferred not to touch their baby (mean GA: 29.1 weeks) when had a first possibility, because of the fear of breaking/damaging/infecting her/him. They were struck by both the baby’s physical appearance and the technology/equipment covering her/him, and were afraid that their infant would die. All fathers in cluster1, but only 63% in cluster2, were actively engaged in their infant’s care. Clusters were associated with the infant’s GA. Conclusion. Fathers of preterm infants should receive a support specifically addressed to them and personalized based on when the preterm birth occurred.
Note:
Online first published February 14, 2018
Web page:
https://sslvpn.univr.it/doi/10.1111/jan.13527/,DanaInfo=onlinelibrary.wiley.com+abstract
jsessionid=B0A931BA819DA6190E2812C0A09AD5FE.f03t01
Product ID:
100132
Handle IRIS:
11562/972338
Last Modified:
November 11, 2022
Bibliographic citation:
Stefana, A.; Padovani, E. M.; Biban, P.; Lavelli, M., Fathers’ experiences with their preterm babies admitted to neonatal intensive care unit: A multi-method study «JOURNAL OF ADVANCED NURSING» , vol. 74 , n. 52018pp. 1090-1098

Consulta la scheda completa presente nel repository istituzionale della Ricerca di Ateneo IRIS

Related projects
Title Department Managers
Parent-infant relationships at risk: Preterm infants, preterm parents (in collaboration with Columbia University) Department Scienze Umane Manuela Lavelli
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