Parents' experiences of the significance of interpersonal interactions for becoming parents and a family during neonatal intensive care

Abstract

Purpose: To describe parents' experiences of the significance of interpersonal interactions for becoming parents and a family during neonatal intensive care.

Design and methods: We employed a qualitative descriptive design with semi-structured family interviews. Ten families were included from four neonatal intensive care units (NICU) in Sweden. Results were evaluated using thematic analysis.

Results: The results were presented as two themes: 1) Interactions within the family, and 2) Interactions between parents and staff. Analyses revealed that interpersonal interactions could both facilitate and hinder development in becoming a parent and a family.

Conclusion: Interactions within the family and with the staff have an important function in the process of becoming a parent and a family. This process would benefit from a systemic approach, focusing on the family as a unit, as unique individuals, and as parents with unique needs and experiences.

Practice implications: Our findings can facilitate changes to reduce the separation between family members (mother-father-newborn-siblings) during their stay in NICU; guiding parents to take care of their child, while being sensitive and balancing their situation as to where they are in their process; supporting the family through joint conversations by listening to the parents and their expectations and experiences both in the NICU and at home; and encouraging parents to do everyday things together outside NICU like an ordinary family.

Keywords: Family; Interaction; Neonatal intensive care; Thematic analysis; Transition; parents' experiences.