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SHR Neuro Cancer Cardio Lipid Metab Microb
Jenewein, J; Fauchere, JC; Glaser, A; Morgeli, HP; Buchi, S.
What stresses parents most after the loss of an extremely preterm child? A qualitative study
GEBURTSH FRAUENHEILK. 2006; 66(8): 745-751.
Doi: 10.1055/s-2005-872980
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- Leading authors Med Uni Graz
- Jenewein Josef
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- Abstract:
- Background and Aims: Sudden and unexpected extreme prematurity, the subsequent stay and treatment of the newborn in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), and finally the loss of the child is a very stressful situation for parents and may constitute risk factors for their psychological health. The aim of this study was first to analyse the most stressful factors for parents; secondly, to determine whether there are differences between parents' assessment of stressful factors and that of staff. Participants and Methods: 52 answers from parents and 14 answers from members of staff to the question "What was the most stressful factor during the birth, treatment in the NICU and death of the child?" were analysed by qualitative content analysis. Results: Content analysis showed five stressful factors overall: about 1/3 of parents' statements (30%) referred to the death of the child whereas about 2/3 referred to stressful circumstances or emotions like helplessness (30.7%), treatment in hospital (16.5%), behaviour of the environment (13.4%), and guilt (9.5%). Statements referring to treatment in hospital and guilt were significantly higher in mothers than in fathers. Analysis of the answers of the staff showed helplessness (40%), death (28.9%), and guilt (25.5%) to be the most stressful factors. Treatment in hospital per se was not rated as a stressful factor. Conclusions: There is evidence that after the death of an extremely preterm child parents not only suffer from the loss of their baby, but also from traumatic circumstances of the loss. These parents are at risk of developing long-lasting psychiatric disorders. Parents therefore should receive all the information they need and, particularly, fathers should be more involved in treatment to reduce their feelings of helplessness/isolation. Special attention should be paid to the high burden of the treatment itself As parents still have symptoms of distress even six years after the loss, general practitioners and other caregivers should be informed in order to be sensitised to potential sequelae like anxiety disorders or depression.
- Find related publications in this database (Keywords)
- extremely preterm birth
- NICU
- parental stress
- traumatic grief
- qualitative study