Parental sense of competence, paternal stress and perceived construction of the relationship with the premature newborn: A mixed method study

The mediating effects of parenting self-efficacy between readiness for hospital discharge and post-discharge coping difficulty among mothers of preterm infants

Post-discharge coping difficulty presents a significant challenge for mothers of preterm infants. The readiness for hospital discharge and parenting self-efficacy are crucial factors influencing post-discharge coping difficulty. However, the pathways through which these factors impact post-discharge coping difficulty remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of readiness for hospital discharge on post-discharge coping difficulty and the mediating role of parenting self-efficacy among mothers of preterm infants. A prospective study involving 462 mothers of preterm infants from six tertiary hospitals in Shandong Province was conducted. Mothers were evaluated on the day of discharge (using the Baseline characteristics and Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale) and three weeks post-discharge (utilizing the Parenting Sense of Competence Scale-Efficacy subscale and Post-Discharge Coping Difficulty Scale). Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the mediating effect. The results of this study revealed that readiness for hospital discharge significantly decreased post-discharge coping difficulty (β = - 0.533, P < 0.001), and parenting self-efficacy also significantly reduced post-discharge coping difficulty (β = - 0.419, P < 0.001). Furthermore, parenting self-efficacy partially mediated the relationship between readiness for hospital discharge and post-discharge coping difficulty, accounting for 25.35% of the total effect. Mothers reported a moderate level of post-discharge coping difficulty. In assisting mothers of premature infants to alleviate post-discharge coping difficulty, nurses could implement strategies focused on enhancing readiness for hospital discharge and parenting self-efficacy.

Becoming first time father of premature newborn during the first wave of the pandemic: a case study approach

Introduction

The aim of this paper is to delve into the emotional and psychological challenges that fathers face as they navigate the complexities of having a preterm infant in the NICU and in an unprecedented sanitary context.

Methods

We used three data collection methods such as interviews (narrative and the Clinical Interview for Parents of High-risk Infants- CLIP) and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) to gain a comprehensive understanding of the cases.

Results

The following analysis explores two individuals' personal experiences of becoming a first-time father during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic through a close examination of two superordinate themes: "A series of separations through the experienced COVID- 19 restrictions" and "Moments of connection." The transition to fatherhood is essentially with a medicalized form of connection with their newborn and the perceived paternal identity. In terms of temporality, these fathers experienced a combination of concerns about their infants' long-term development and COVID-19 health concerns. Furthermore, they showed indications of phobic or hypochondriac tendencies using a psychoanalytic framework, along with an increased risk of postpartum depression.

Becoming a first-time father during the COVID-19 pandemic in France

The role of fathers in Western societies has undergone significant change over time. However, their psychopathology remains largely misunderstood and difficult to identify. This study aims to explore the lived experiences of first-time fathers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Twenty-seven first-time French fathers were recruited for the study, which involved a narrative interview, the Rorschach projective test, the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and a semi-structured interview. Narrative interviews revealed several challenges faced by these fathers, including the pressure of paternal responsibility, the need to be actively involved in the prenatal activities and caregiving (haptonomy, skin-to-skin contact), and concerns about the future of their couple and family as a triad. The Rorschach tests showed numerous perinatal responses and difficulties in identifying phallic representations among the fathers. Additionally, the EPDS scores indicated that 15% of fathers showed signs of depression, while 52% exhibited signs of anxiety. This study also examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its associated health context on creating the initial triad. Lastly, the case of one father is presented to illustrate the need for diagnostic tools to address the psychopathology of fathers, as narrative or semi-structured interviews have often fallen short of addressing this issue.