What the study found
Neonatal nurses perceived that parents experience trauma during neonatal unit admission, and most estimated high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in both mothers and fathers. They also reported that separation from the baby, clinical procedures, and unexpected critical events were major contributors to parental trauma.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that the findings highlight awareness of parental psychological vulnerability and perceived gaps in mental health support within neonatal services. They also note that the study suggests perinatal mental health provision for neonatal parents in Northern Ireland is inadequate.
What the researchers tested
The researchers surveyed 61 neonatal nurses attending a regional Neonatal Nurses Association conference in Northern Ireland in April 2024. They used an anonymous five-question digital survey, summarized the quantitative responses descriptively, and analyzed 121 open-text responses with inductive content analysis.
What worked and what didn't
All respondents who answered that item agreed that parents experience trauma during neonatal unit admission. Most nurses estimated maternal PTSD prevalence in the 71–80% range and paternal prevalence in the 61–70% range. Content analysis identified five perceived trauma domains: separation and disconnection from the baby, clinical procedures and interventions, unexpected and critical situations, emotional responses to neonatal parenting, and the neonatal environment and stimuli.
What to keep in mind
The findings reflect nurses' perceptions rather than measured PTSD prevalence in parents. The sample was a purposive group of 61 nurses from one conference, and the abstract does not describe other limitations.
Key points
- All nurses who answered one survey item agreed that parents experience trauma during neonatal unit admission.
- Most nurses estimated maternal PTSD prevalence at 71–80% and paternal prevalence at 61–70%.
- The most cited trauma trigger was separation and disconnection from the baby.
- Clinical procedures, unexpected critical situations, and the neonatal environment were also named as trauma triggers.
- Most respondents perceived perinatal mental health provision for neonatal parents in Northern Ireland to be inadequate.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Neonatal nurses reported high perceived parental PTSD
- Authors:
- Colm Darby, Victoria Craig, Olinda Santin, Derek McLaughlin, Breidge Boyle
- Institutions:
- Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Belfast, Queen's University Belfast, Southern Health and Social Care Trust
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-10
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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