Abstract
A study of the emotional impact on 164 parents of 94 infants weighing less than 1,000 grams, admitted to an NICU from Jan.1, 1975, through June 30, 1977, revealed a difference in feelings of sadness, helplessness and self blame between mothers and fathers, with mothers more often labeling these emotions as extreme and fathers more often labeling them as not present.The ability to carry out regular activities (care of other children, personal appearance, household chores and employment) was stated as not affected by 66% when the baby died, 54% indicated no effect when the baby lived.
Family relationships: 97% were married at the time of birth, 93% are now. When the baby lived, 43% now plan on fewer children than were planned prior to the birth, 16% when the baby died. When the baby lived, 60% viewed their spouses adjustment as very good, 16% when the baby died. 63% of parents, when the baby lived, reported the experience made their relationship closer, 57% when the baby died. Parents stated there was no significance of changed behavior in siblings. Parents most frequently looked to spouse for support than to others.
Results indicate that (1) the experience is traumatic, (2) there is a difference between partners responses, and (3) responses varied according to whether the baby lived or died.
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Gibbs, G., Coleman, T., Jung, A. et al. 45 EMOTIONAL IMPACT ON FAMILIES OF LESS THAN 1,000 GRAM BABY IN A NICU. Pediatr Res 12 (Suppl 4), 371 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00050
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-197804001-00050