Evaluation of the Relationship Between Perceived Nursing Support and Parental Stress Among Mothers of Hospitalized Preterm Infants in Neonatal Intensive Care Units

Background and Aim: Hospitalization of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a stressful event for mothers. The present study aimed to evaluate the relationship between perceived nursing support and parental stress among mothers of hospitalized preterm infants. Methods: This descriptive, analytical study was conducted on 100 mothers of neonates,whowere hospitalized in the NICU of Valiasr Hospital, Birjand, Iran during 2014 - 2015. Data were collected using a questionnaire of demographic and clinical characteristics, nurse-parent support tool, and parental stressor scale. Data were analyzed using independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation test, and univariate or multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis. Results: The mothers’ parental stress had a significant inverse correlation with the perceived nursing support (r, -0.23; P = 0.02). Among the subscales of perceived nursing support, only the subscale of emotional support was a significant predictor of parental stress and its subscales (P 0.5). Moreover, maternal stress was inversely correlated with neonatal age and birth weight (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Nursing support plays a pivotal role in alleviating stress among mothers of preterm infants. Therefore, nurses should provide adequate informational and emotional support for these mothers.