Stress and Desired Support of Mothers With Infants Hospitalized in an NICU or GCU: Survey During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to clarify the stress and desired support of mothers with infants hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) or growing care unit (GCU) during hospitalization and for 1 month after discharge.

Methods: A survey of mothers, which used self-reported questionnaires, was conducted at discharge and 1 month later. SF-8, STAI, Hanazawa’s Feelings toward Baby Scale, stressors, and desired support were included. The results were then analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and mothers’ descriptions were analyzed via qualitative analysis.

Results: We included 20 mothers. When their infants were hospitalized in an NICU/GCU, their stress was from “restricted visitation due to the Covid-19 pandemic. ” After discharge, their stress was from “difficulty in reacting to their baby’s cry.” When their infants were hospitalized in the NICU/GCU, they wanted to “secure visitation.” After discharge, they wanted a nurse “to be a consultant and supporter who remains close to them after discharge from the hospital.” The Physical Component Summary from the SF-8 and the scores from Hanazawa’s Feelings toward Baby Scale at 1 month after discharge were significantly higher than those at hospitalization. No significant change in STAI was observed, but stressors related to anxiety were found both at hospitalization and after discharge.

Conclusion: The stress of mothers was affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Thus, providing support to mothers is necessary to help them understand their babies and adapt to their changing family roles. Additionally, care for mothers should continue after discharge.