Closeness through care: parental mental health and family-centred interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit
Closeness through care: parental mental health and family-centred interventions in the neonatal intensive care unit
Admission to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) has a profound impact not only on preterm infants, but also on their parents. This thesis by Loïs Span investigated how parental psychological wellbeing evolves during and after NICU admission and how family-centred interventions, including kangaroo care and live-performed music therapy, may support parents and infants.
The findings show that parental distress does not necessarily resolve after hospital discharge. Anxiety symptoms remain relatively common among both mothers and fathers up to two years later. Importantly, neonatal medical characteristics were poor predictors of which parents experienced persistent anxiety. These findings support systematic attention to the mental wellbeing of both parents, during NICU admission and throughout follow-up.
At the same time, the studies demonstrate the potential importance of closeness within family-centred neonatal care. Kangaroo care, live-performed music therapy, and their combination were associated with acute reductions in parental stress and anxiety. Combined therapy was also associated with improved short-term physiological stability in preterm infants. Parents described music therapy as a meaningful opportunity for relaxation, connection, and renewed involvement in their infant’s care.
Together, these findings support a broader perspective on neonatal care. High-quality NICU care should extend beyond infant survival and medical outcomes to include parental psychological wellbeing and opportunities for early parent-infant closeness, connection, and co-regulation.