Parental stress and associated symptoms in premature babies’ parents: a systematic review

Abstract

Objective The objective of the study was to identify in the scientific papers the variables associated with parental stress of premature babies’ parents through the graph analytics technique. Method This is a Systematic Literature Review performed in the CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Medline, PsycInfo and Web of Science databases. Results The search yielded 12 articles that were submitted to the data graph analytics technique for analysis and visualization through the NodeXL Program. Among the variables reviewed, the following stand out: parental psychological distress, risk factors, maternal characteristics, child characteristics, environmental characteristics, parent-infant relationship, and intervention. The main symptoms associated with parental stress were depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress. Conclusion The implementation of interventions aimed at the baby and the family’s well-being can minimize the conditions faced.