J Perinatol. 2025 Sep 21. doi: 10.1038/s41372-025-02435-6. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Most Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) literature focuses on parent perspectives, overlooking how staff perceive and respond to family needs. We examined NICU staff perceptions to understand family experiences through a relational and systemic lens.
DESIGN: We conducted five focus groups (N = 22) with multidisciplinary staff and used an inductive-deductive approach to identify themes.
RESULTS: Staff emphasized that families have both unique journeys and common experiences. Staff described how sociocultural barriers, trauma histories, and the reproductive/NICU journey shape family stress. Common stressors include multiple traumas, grief and guilt, and ongoing uncertainty. Although coping strategies are influenced by family values/goals and prior experiences, staff commonly observed emotion-driven behaviors, involvement in care, and less self-care. Staff also noted that the NICU can disrupt family dynamics and communication, yet existing relationship dynamics shape family impact.
CONCLUSION: Staff perspectives provide additional context for understanding family experiences and highlight the need for tailored family-centered care.
PMID:40975718 | DOI:10.1038/s41372-025-02435-6
