How to support fathers of preterm infants in early parenthood - An integrative review.

PROBLEM: Preterm birth is a stressful event. Paternal experiences of having a preterm infant indicate a need for tailored support. However, it is unclear which interventions work best. This review presents the evidence on existing healthcare interventions to support fathers of preterm infants in early parenthood, how effective they are and paternal experiences with the interventions. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: The integrative review process of Whittemore and Knafl was used to guide the study. A structured and comprehensive literature search was conducted in PubMed (MEDLINE), Embase, CINAHL, PsycInfo, Cochrane, Scopus, Web of Science, SweMed+, and Proquest Dissertation & Thesis Global. SAMPLE: A total of 18 qualitative and quantitative studies were included in the review. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool was used to assess quality. RESULTS: Three overall themes were identified in the analysis: 1) Skin-to-skin contact supported interaction between infant and father, 2) information impacted paternal experiences of stress, anxiety, and development of fatherhood, 3) fathers' relationships with the nurses oscillated between conflict and assistance. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that targeted interventions could support father-infant interaction and reduce stress among fathers of preterm infants. IMPLICATIONS: Fathers of preterm infants rely on nurses to support their engagement in early parenthood, while nurses facilitate the interventions that engage the fathers. It is also essential to develop a culture within the neonatal intensive care unit that encourages the presence of fathers and enhances educational nursing strategies for supporting fathers of preterm infants during early parenthood.

Views of teenage parents on their support housing needs.

This paper describes how a group of health and social care professionals worked together, with support from a Research Development Support Unit (RDSU), to undertake a research project to give teenage parents a voice in identifying their support housing needs. The results informed local planning, and the support housing strategy. Data were collected from 25 young parents (20 mothers and five fathers) through semi-structured interviews and a small focus group. Routes into homelessness for the sample group are described, and their housing and support needs are identified. Key issues include the need to remain close to family links and support networks, help in applying for benefits, and support around mental health issues and domestic violence. Models of support housing were also discussed with the young people, and their preferences identified. The project has implications for practice in identifying at risks groups, inter-agency working, and areas for focussed work, including addressing the mental health needs of this group of young people. The project is an example of health visitors working as family-centred public health practitioners, collecting information in a systematic way, to inform strategy and planning.