Maternal Stress and Coping in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit: A mixed-method study in Northern Malaysia

Nurul Farhana Mat Nadzir; Rusnani Ab Latif; Wan Ismahanisa Ismail; Yoyok Bekti Prasetyo

doi:10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI35.7488

Authors

Nurul Farhana Mat Nadzir Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Bertam Campus, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Rusnani Ab Latif Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Bertam Campus, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Wan Ismahanisa Ismail Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Pulau Pinang, Bertam Campus, 13200 Kepala Batas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Yoyok Bekti Prasetyo Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Muhammadiyah Surabaya, East Java, Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21834/e-bpj.v10iSI35.7488

Keywords:

Maternal stress, Premature infants, Neonatal intesive care unit (NICU), Coping strategies

Abstract

Maternal stress in Neonatal Intensive Care Units (NICU) is a significant concern affecting both mothers and infant outcomes. This study examined stress levels and coping strategies among mothers of premature infants in northern Malaysia using a mixed-method explanatory sequential design. A total of 383 mothers were surveyed with the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS: NICU) and Brief COPE, followed by interviews with 14 participants. Findings showed moderate stress (M = 2.16, SD = 0.92), highest in parental role alteration. Age and education were significantly associated with stress, and mothers relied mainly on emotional, spiritual, and social coping.

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