Defense Date

7-2-2024

Graduation Date

Summer 8-10-2024

Availability

Immediate Access

Submission Type

dissertation

Degree Name

PhD

Department

School Psychology

School

School of Education

Committee Chair

Kara McGoey

Committee Member

Ara Schmitt

Committee Member

Gibbs Kanyongo

Keywords

NICU, infant mental health, parent-infant mental health, prematurity, skin-to-skin care

Abstract

This study examines the high-risk population of infants born atinfants, developmental delays in infants, and parent-infant relationship disruption. Kangaroo care (KC) has shown promise as an intervention to buffer these adverse effects, however, KC engagement in NICUs is obstructed by lack of clear guidelines. Furthermore, limited research exists on KC including infants born atoutcomes, infant behavioral/developmental outcomes, and parent-infant relationship outcomes conjointly. The aim of this study was, therefore, to examine the impact of kangaroo care engagement on precursors of adverse outcomes including parent stress, infant neurobehavioral organization, and parent-infant bonding with the intent of informing clinical practice. Data was collected through a Quality Improvement (QI) initiative in a Level III neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Specifically, data included parent-perceived NICU-specific stress measured by questionnaire, infant neurobehavior measured by a neurobehavioral assessment of self-regulation and lethargy, possible parent-infant bonding dysfunction measured by a self-report screening measure, and KC engagement measured by a frequency ratio (i.e., sessions/day) of engagement throughout families’ NICU stays. Families were grouped by high (i.e., weekly KC on average) versus low KC engagement (i.e., once every 90+ days on average). The results were not significant for any grouping of these variables in relation to parent-infant bonding or infant neurobehavior. Additionally, parent-perceived NICU-stress, parent-infant bonding, and neurobehavior measured by lethargy were not found to be significantly different between parent-infant dyads engaging in high versus low-frequency KC. However, infant self-regulation was found to vary significantly between high versus low KC frequency ratio groups. Overall, these findings suggest the need for further exploration regarding KC in infants born at earlier gestational ages but do provide support for KC engagement. Additional interpretations of findings and implications are further discussed.

Language

English

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