Correlation of Received Support with Stress and Self-confidence in Mothers of Infants with Congenital Gastrointestinal Anomalies

Abstract

Abstract: Background and objective: Hospitalization of the infants with anomaly for surgery is considered as a big stress for the family; so that, such stress affects the self-confidence of the parents as well. In order to reduce the stress and increase the self-confidence of mothers, the nurses have a significant responsibility. Thus, the present study is aimed to determine the relationship between the received support and the stress and self-confidence of mothers of the infants with Congenital Gastrointestinal Anomalies hospitalized in the neonatal unit. Method: The present study is a descriptive-correlational study. This study was conducted on 120 mothers whose infants had undergone surgery due to Congenital Gastric intestinal Anomalies and had been hospitalized between June to November 2015 in the neonatal unit and neonatal intensive care unit in Tabriz. Data collection was performed using the 3-part questionnaire including Nurse-Parent Support Tool (NPST), Berry & Jones Stress Tool, and Karitane Parenting Confidence Scale. The analysis of the obtained data was done by SPSS17 software using descriptive and inferential statistics methods, Spearman correlation coefficient tests, and independent-t test at the significance level of less than 0.05. Findings: In this study, the mothers received a high level of communicational-informational support and a low level of emotional support from nurses. Further, there was a direct and significant relationship between the mothers’ received support and stress (P=0.013) and self-confidence (P<0.001). Conclusion: Based on the results, mothers of the infants with Congenital Gastric intestinal Anomalies in the supports received from the nurses, are neglected in terms of the emotional and self-confidence aspects in supports received from nurses; therefore, regarding the direct relationship between the received support and stress of the mothers, it is suggested that the nurses working in neonatal units take an effective step to reduce the mothers’ stress by bringing into consideration their emotions and removing their concerns. It is also recommended that the nurses consider the family-based care in their care plans and increase the mothers’ self-confidence by participating them in caring the infants.