Factors contributing to parental stress in newborns requiring surgical care: a cross-sectional study
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In brief
In brief
This cross-sectional study examines stress levels in parents of newborns requiring surgical intervention, finding that 90% experience significant stress, particularly related to altered parental roles. Parents of preterm infants, those with lower education and socioeconomic status face higher stress, highlighting the need for targeted psychosocial support in neonatal surgical care.
- 90% of parents experience significant stress when their newborn requires surgery, with parental role alteration being the most stressful domain.
- Parents of preterm infants and those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds report higher stress levels during neonatal surgical care.
- 27% of parents report extreme stress related to surgical aspects, indicating need for enhanced preoperative counseling and support.
- Higher parental education and socioeconomic status correlate with lower stress scores in families of surgical newborns.
- Targeted psychosocial interventions should focus on parental role support, especially for vulnerable populations with preterm or critically ill infants.
Written by the GCMD Library team from the article.
Abstract
Purpose
To assess parental stress in newborns undergoing surgical care.
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pediatric Surgery at a tertiary center. The study included all parents of newborns requiring surgery, admitted between July 2023 and June 2024.
Results
The overall stress score among the study population was 3.3 ± 1. Approximately 90% of parents reported experiencing at least some level of stress (stress score ≥ 2), with the “parental role alteration” domain scoring the highest (3.9 ± 1.1). In the “surgical aspects” domain, 27% reported extreme stress and 22% reported high stress. Higher stress scores were found among parents of preterm infants (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.1 ± 1.1, p = 0.04), infants with a birth order ≥ 2 (3.4 ± 1.1 vs. 3.1 ± 1, p = 0.04), and those from the Muslim community. Graduate parents (2.8 ± 0.9, p = 0.01) and parents of upper socioeconomic status (2.3 ± 0.7, p < 0.0001) were found to have lower stress scores.
Conclusion
Parental stress is significant among surgical newborns, especially in parents of preterm babies, babies with severe medical conditions, and those with lower education and socioeconomic status. "Parental role alteration" was the most stressful aspect, highlighting the need for targeted support.