Affiliations 

  • 1 Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: Abed.Elkader@jfda.jo
  • 2 Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: katlim@um.edu.my
  • 3 Department of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: mcchong@um.edu.my
  • 4 Institute of Educational Leadership & Unit for the Enhancement of Academic Performance, University of Malaya, Malaysia. Electronic address: chuayp@um.edu.my
  • 5 Department of Nursing Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, Irbid National University, Jordan
J Pediatr Nurs, 2017 06 19;36:132-140.
PMID: 28888494 DOI: 10.1016/j.pedn.2017.06.007

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the stressors and stress levels among Jordanian parents of infants in the NICU and their relationship to three factors: anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance.

DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in two hospitals in Jordan among 310 parents of infants in the NICU by using PSS: NICU and PROMIS.

RESULTS: Both parents experienced high levels of stress, anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance. There was a significant difference in stress level between mothers and fathers [t (308)=3.471, p=0.001], with the mothers experiencing higher stress than the fathers [mean: mothers=108.58; fathers=101.68]. The highest and lowest sources of stress were infant behavior and appearance (M=4.09) and sights and sounds in the NICU (M=3.54), respectively. The correlation between stress levels with anxiety (r=0.79) and depression (r=0.75) was strong and positive while sleep disturbance was significant and moderate (r=0.43).

CONCLUSIONS: The mothers experienced higher levels of stress compared to fathers, with positive correlations between stress and anxiety, depression and sleep disturbance.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: The findings of this study create nursing awareness of parent stress and its impact, which will help them to improve nursing care for parents.

* Title and MeSH Headings from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.