JOURNAL OF LIAONING TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW ON STRESS, ANXIETY AND COPING MECHANISM AMONG CARE-GIVERS OF PRETERM INFANTS

ALADE, Modupe Irene*, Prof. Rev. Sr. OGUNKORODE, Agatha Olufunke, Dr. OGIDAN, Oluwakemi Christie, Prof. AKPOR, Oluwaseyi Abiodun

Abstract

The care of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) is a complex and demanding task that can significantly impact the well-being of caregivers. The unique circumstances surrounding preterm birth and the specialized care required for these vulnerable infants contribute to the high levels of stress and anxiety experienced by caregivers. The study seeks to determine the prevalence of stress and anxiety experienced by caregivers of preterm infants and explore the coping mechanisms employed by this population. The methodology adopted was a systematic approach. Databases such as PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Google Scholars, Semantics, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Web of Science were identified. The SPIDER tool was used to guide the systematic data collection process in this study. The PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) framework was used. A total of 845 records were identified through the initial database search, and an additional 543 records were obtained from other sources. After removing duplicates, 302 unique records remained for further evaluation. The final record was 46. The study revealed high stress levels among caregivers of preterm infants and children with different conditions. The presence of elevated stress levels was reported in specific populations, highlighting the need for recognizing and addressing stress to promote well-being and implement effective support systems. Anxiety levels varied depending on the context, such as academic settings, clinical populations, and work environments. Coping strategies identified included seeking information, positive reframing, seeking assistance, acceptance, devotion to God, attachment to family, humor, and emotion-focused coping. The study concludes that the systematic review carried out to investigate stress , anxiety symptoms, types of coping strategies, and relationships between stress and coping mechanisms among caregivers of preterm infants revealed that stress and anxiety constitute a problem and that coping strategies needed to be consistently applied to handle stress and anxiety among caregivers of preterm infants in most studies. The study recommends further study of the dynamics of stress and anxiety in other areas.

Key Points: Stress, Anxiety, Coping Strategies, Preterm Infants, Nurses