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. 2022 Jun;42(6):714-722.
doi: 10.1038/s41372-021-01195-3. Epub 2021 Sep 1.

Fathers' experiences of supporting their partners during their preterm infant's stay in the neonatal intensive care unit: a multi-method study

Alberto Stefana  1 , Paolo Biban  2 , Ezio Maria Padovani  2 , Manuela Lavelli  3
Affiliations

Fathers' experiences of supporting their partners during their preterm infant's stay in the neonatal intensive care unit: a multi-method study

Alberto Stefana et al. J Perinatol. 2022 Jun.

Abstract

Objective: To explore how the fathers experience their role as a support for their partner and the relationship with them during their preterm infant's stay in the NICU.

Study design: Multi-method longitudinal study involving ethnographic observation, semi-structured interviews, self-report questionnaires, and clinical information. Twenty fathers of preterm infants hospitalized in a level-III-NICU were included. Data were analyzed using thematic continent analysis.

Results: Three main themes were identified: support for mother (subthemes: putting mother's and infant's needs first; hiding worries and negative emotions; counteracting the sense of guilt; fear that the mother would reject the child), mother's care for the infant (subthemes: observing mother engaged in caregiving; mother has "something extra"), and couple relationship (subthemes: collaboration; bond).

Conclusion: Fathers supporting their partners during the stay in the NICU experience emotional distress and the need for being supported that often are hidden. This demands a great deal of emotional and physical energy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

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