Mental health status and intervention strategies of fathers in neonatal intensive care unit:a scoping review / 中国实用护理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To understand the mental health status of fathers in neonatal intensive care unit and the intervention strategies for fathers′ mental health problems.Methods:Using the scoping review method as a framework, the studies on the mental health status of fathers with NICU in PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, CNKI, WanFang Data, VIP and CBM were searched. The included studies were summarized and analyzed. The search time was from the database establishment to 30 August 2022. The content of literature extraction included author, country, publication time, research type, sample size, research variables, research content, and research results.Results:A total of twenty-five articles were included. Among them,11 literatures reported the mental health status of fathers of children in neonatal intensive care unit. Fathers experienced both negative and positive psychological changes after admission to the neonatal intensive care unit, including anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, stress, sadness, and post-traumatic growth. Fourteen articles involved intervention strategies for mental health problems of fathers. Intervention strategies include enhancing social support (emotional support, peer support), stress management training (written disclosure, relaxation training, mindfulness therapy), information support, family integrated care (accompanied visits, kangaroo care).Conclusions:The admission of a newborn to the intensive care unit has caused many psychological problems for the father. However, there is still a lack of intervention strategies for fathers′ mental health problems, and it is still necessary for medical staff to take corresponding intervention measures according to fathers′ needs.