Preliminary Exploration of Caregiver Stress Responses after a Child's Premature Delivery. Issue 3 (3rd July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lavine, Debbie; Jewell, Vanessa D.; Greiner, Bobbi
• Is Part Of: Journal of occupational therapy, schools, & early intervention. Volume 14:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 235
• Page End: 247
• Publication Date: 2021-07-03
• Subjects: Childbirth -- premature -- infant -- premature -- intensive care units -- neonatal -- early childhood intervention -- pediatric occupational therapy; Occupational therapy for children -- United States -- Periodicals; Occupational therapy for children -- Periodicals; Children with disabilities -- Education -- United States -- Periodicals; Children with disabilities -- Education -- Periodicals; Periodicals; 615.85150830973
• DOI: 10.1080/19411243.2021.1875387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1941-1243

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Caregivers frequently find the premature birth of a child as a crisis. This pilot study explored the perceived types of stress experienced by parents of premature infants and the impact on caregiving. Caregivers completed the Impact of Events Scale-Revised (IES-R; n = 4) and participated in a focus group (n = 3) or interview (n = 1). Caregivers' total scores on the IES-R ranged from 2 to 42. Themes included: emotions experienced at birth through the present, occupational loss, and the role of occupational therapy in the home. Although preliminary, findings indicated caregivers experienced high levels of stress that may impact co-occupations with premature infants.