Assessment of Parental Stress in the Neonatology Unit: scoping review

Abstract

Introduction: The use of parental stress assessment instruments in the Neonatology Unit, allows nurses to know the stress-promoting sources that influence the parents' responses and to implement consistent, adequate, and family-centered care practices. Objective: the objective of this scoping review is to identify and map in the scientific literature the instruments for assessing parental stress in the Neonatology Unit and the sources that promote stress there. Method: the scoping review protocol followed the JBI model and the research was carried out using 11 databases. Primary and secondary studies and gray literature were considered. After a full analysis of the text of the articles, 39 remained and were included in the review. Results: there are two instruments for assessing parental stress, developed specifically for use in the Neonatology Unit: Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit - PSS: NICU and Neonatal Unit Parental Stress-NUPS. The sources of stress in the Neonatology Unit that contribute most to parental stress are the relationship of the parents with the newborn and the change in the parental role. Conclusion: this review indicated the state of scientific evidence on the instruments for assessing parental stress in the Neonatology Unit and the main sources of stress. The use of parental stress assessment instruments allows the identification of stressors that influence parents' responses while caring for the newborn in the Neonatology Unit. The results that emerge from the application of these instruments facilitate the knowledge of parental needs and, consequently, the development of interventions that promote parental role and parenting.