Abstract

Objectives: The birth of a baby brings joy and the need for new family roles. However, few babies typically fail in their graceful perinatal transition requiring separation from parents in NICU leading to stressful situations. This study aimed to identify, correlate, and compare the stress levels and coping strategies of mothers and fathers with neonates in the NICU. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted among 80 parents of NICUadmitted neonates, using purposive sampling. Data were collected through self-structured rating scales. Statistical analysis was performed using Spearman’s Rank Correlation Coefficients, MannWhitney U-test, and Chi-square test, with normality established by the Shapiro-Wilk test. Results: The findings revealed that the majority of mothers (45.0%) and fathers (47.5%) were aged 26-30 years. Most mothers (72.5%) and fathers (65.0%) experienced moderate stress. A significant number of mothers (67.5%) and fathers (52.5%) used partially adaptive coping strategies. Both mothers and fathers exhibited high stress and coping strategies in the emotional domain. The Spearman’s correlation coefficient was r= -0.33 for mothers and r= -0.47 for fathers, indicating a moderate negative correlation between stress levels and coping strategies. No significant difference was found in stress levels between mothers and fathers (Z=-.516, P=0.606), but a significant difference was noted in their coping strategies (Z=-2.348, P=0.019). Significant associations were found between stress, coping strategies, and socio-demographic variables such as mode of delivery (χ²=7.73, P=0.02), fathers’ employment status (χ²=15.3, P=0.01), neonates’ medical diagnosis (χ²=13.4, P=0.03), and length of stay in the NICU (χ²=11.3, P=0.02). Conclusion: While no significant gender difference was found in stress levels, fathers showed better coping strategies. Since stress is negatively correlated with coping, it suggests that healthcare professionals’ support can reduce parental stress and improve coping. Key Message:Parental stress in the NICU is significant, with fathers exhibiting better coping strategies. This study compares stress levels and coping mechanisms, revealing moderate stress and partially adaptive coping in parents. Enhanced healthcare support could mitigate stress and improve coping, benefiting the overall well-being of NICU families globally.

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