Karen Nguyen
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Research Mentor(s): Ashlee Vance, Research Fellow
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Institute for Healthcare Policy & Innovation, School of Nursing
Presentation Date: Thursday, April 22, 2021
Session: Session 3 (1pm-1:50pm)
Breakout Room: Room 14
Presenter: 4
Abstract
The effect of gestational age of NICU infants on parental mental health Authors: Karen Nguyen, Research assistant & Ashlee Vance, Ph.D., MA, RN, RNC-NIC The research project focuses on parents of NICU infants either during or after hospitalization. A survey was conducted nationwide to collect information about parents’ mental health states, financial stability, and NICU characteristics to better understand the parents’ experiences with hospitalized infants. The data was reviewed using data visualization techniques in Tableau. Focusing specifically on gestational age of NICU infants and its impact on the mental health of parents (PHQ), we hypothesized that parent mental health would varied significantly between the gestational age of the infant. Parental mental health was measured on numeric scale to describe parents’ depression or anxiety symptoms. PHQ1 represented feeling nervous, anxious or on edge; PHQ2 represented not being able to stop or control worrying; PHQ3 represented feeling down, depressed or hopeless; PHQ4 represented little interest or pleasure in doing things. The highest total PHQ scores were in the 10-15 weeks after birth period, with the second highest scores between 0-5 weeks of birth. It was concluded that the analysis of gestational age does play a significant role in understanding parents’ experiences with NICU infants. This information is beneficial to healthcare providers as well health management faculty to learn how to better accommodate patients’ families.
Authors: Karen Nguyen
Research Method: Clinical Research
