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Am J Perinatol 2024; 41(09): 1261-1268
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749189
Original Article

Characterization of Spirituality in Parents of Very Preterm Infants in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Vanessa Shanks
1   Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
2   Division of Neonatology, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio
,
Ursula Guillen
1   Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
,
Amy Mackley
1   Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
,
Wendy Sturtz
1   Division of Neonatology, Christiana Care Health System, Newark, Delaware
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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to characterize the spiritual beliefs, practices, and needs of parents of very preterm infants, those born <32 weeks of gestation, in a level-III NICU and to characterize parental perception of the spiritual support received in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

Study Design Within 14 days of their infants' birth, parents underwent a recorded semistructured interview. Responses were organized into unique themes using standard qualitative methods. Parents completed the Spiritual Involvement and Beliefs Scale (SIBS) and Spiritual Needs Inventory (SNI).

Results Twenty-six parents from 17 families were interviewed and provided SIBS and SNI surveys. Interviews yielded seven major themes describing parents' spirituality and support. Most parents identified themselves as spiritual (n = 14) or sometimes spiritual (n = 2). A high SIBS score was associated with Christian religion (p = 0.007) and non-White race (p = 0.02). The SNI showed ≥80% of parents reported a “frequent” or “always” need for laughter, being with family, thinking happy thoughts, and talking about day-to-day things. The most commonly mentioned sources of spiritual support were parents' connection with a higher power through their faith (n = 12) or religious activities (n = 8). Many parents reported receiving sufficient spiritual support outside of the hospital during their unique experience in the NICU.

Conclusion Parents of infants born <32 weeks of gestation in our NICU commonly self-identified themselves as spiritual. Many parents have similar spiritual needs which are often met by sources outside of the hospital.

Key Points

  • Parents of infants born <32 weeks of gestation in our NICU commonly self-identify as spiritual.

  • Many parents of preterm infants describe their spirituality as a personal experience.

  • Many parents of preterm infants have similar spiritual needs.

  • Many parents of preterm infants have their spiritual needs met outside of the hospital.

Keywords

spirituality - NICU - parents - neonate - support - spiritual


Publication History

Received: 22 July 2021

Accepted: 30 March 2022

Article published online:
23 June 2022

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