Stress and coping of parents of hospitalized premature infants

Utilizing a semi-structured interview derived from Lazarus and Folkman's (1984) phenomenological model of stress and coping, 32 mothers and 25 fathers identified stressors associated with having a low birthweight, premature infant hospitalized in a newborn intensive care unit (NICU). From this list of stressors, parents chose the most stressful, rated the extent to which they felt they had control, reported what they did to cope, and completed the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Folkman & Lazarus, 1988). The results showed that parents identified stressors both within the NICU environment and in several contexts (e.g., family, work) outside of the NICU. In addition, parents used several types of coping strategies including social support and problem solving. However, results also indicated that the NICU experience was qualitatively different for mothers and fathers. Implications for helping professionals and considerations for future research are discussed.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Education

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Hughes, Mary-alayne Lott

Contributors dc:contributor

• McCollum, Jeanette A.

• Health Sciences, Mental Health
• Social Work
• Education, Special
• Psychology, Developmental

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1992 Hughes, Mary-alayne Lott

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9215830
(UMI)AAI9215830

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/19773