Evaluation of the effect of narrative writing on the stress sources of the fathers of preterm neonates admitted to the NICU

Abstract

Objective

Identification of the nurses and fathers’ understanding of the stress sources facilitates nursing interventions and increases parental satisfaction.

Materials and methods

The quasi experimental study with pretest and posttest was administered to a sample size of 70 fathers with preterm neonates hospitalized in the NICUs of Gorgan University of Medical Sciences in 6 months. The Parental Stressor Scale (PSS) was used. The data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical statistical methods.

Results

Evaluation of the differences in the domains showed that narrative writing had significant effects on all three domains. The results showed that the highest stress reduction was observed in parents’ relationship followed by infant behavior and appearance while the lowest stress reduction was observed in the sights and sounds in the intervention group.

Conclusion

Narrative writing may be considered an efficient supportive intervention to reduce the fathers’ stress, infant behavior and appearance in the NICUs.

Keywords:

• Father
• infant
• nursing
• premature birth
• narrative writing
• neonatal intensive care unit (NICU)

Acknowledgements

The researchers wish to thank all fathers who participated in this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

We also extend our gratitude to the Deputy for Research of Gorgon University of Medical Sciences for their financial support.