6.3.2 Struggling to get connected: The process of maternal attachment to the preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (141)
Rachtawon Orapiriyakul, Professor of Nursing Science, Pediatric Nursing Department, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, Thailand Co authors: Veena Jirapaet & Branom Rodcumdee
Abstract:
Hospitalization of preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is a crisis for mothers in developing an attachment process. The purpose of this grounded theory study was to explore how mothers in Thailand develop maternal attachment to infants born preterm and requiring NICU hospitalization. Fifteen Thai mothers whose preterm infants had birth weights less than 1,500g, without congenital anomalies, and experiencing mechanical ventilation were interviewed and audiotaped. Four mother-preterm infant dyad interactions were observed and videotaped. The audiotape and videotape were transcribed for analysis. Textual data were analyzed through the constant comparative method. Findings indicate the basic social process of maternal attachment was “Struggling to Get Connected” through the crisis circumstance of preterm birth, composed of 4 phases of establishing the connections, disrupting of the connections, resuming to get connected, and becoming connected. The movement of actions/interactions of maternal attachment to the preterm infant in each phase depended on having concern for the baby, adjusting emotionally to the crisis, supporting connections, life experience, and health care system facilitating. Discussion included the cultural context. Understanding this process is of value in clinical practice and nursing education. Future direction of qualitative and quantitative investigation is recommended.
Source of Funding: Other
Amount in Funding: 1,000
Biography:
Rachtawon Orapiriyakul, PhD, RN Assistant Professor in Nursing Science Faculty of Nursing, Prince of Songkla University Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand 90112 Telephone: 66 74 286562 Mobile phone: 66 89 7376100 Fax: 66 74 212901 E-mail: rachtawon@yahoo.com Education Ph.D. (Nursing Science) M.A.(Medical Social Science) BSc.(Nursing) Responsibilities - Graduate and undergraduate taught in pediatric nursing care subjects. - Practicum course coordinator, instructor in The International Training Program on Neonatal and Pediatric Critical Care Nursing. Books/ Researches Books: - Nursing care of the critically ill neonates - Neonatal nursing care: nursing process approach Researches: - Struggling to get connected: the process of maternal attachment to the preterm infant in the neonatal intensive care unit. - Relationships between child care and health status. Memberships - Thai Nurse Council - Nurses’ Association of Thailand - Thai Neonatal Society - Thai Pediatric Nursing Society.