Abstract

VIANA, Victor et al. Psychological support to mothers of risk newborns in NICU . Arq Med [online]. 2005, vol.19, n.3, pp.91-96. ISSN 2183-2447.

The authors describe the procedures used to provide psychological support to mothers of newborns in a neonatology service. The psychological support was given mainly in the group context, and in some cases in individual context. The theoretical orientation included the systemic theory and crisis intervention. Objectives in the group approach were: the promotion of group communication and confidence, the expression of emotions, beliefs, fears and psychological, family and social difficulties. We look for the promotion and the development of the group’s emotional self-support, taking advantage of similarities between mothers’ life experiences and fears in the situation. Psychological counseling models in crisis intervention were used in the individual approach. Objectives were: developing and maintaining rapport, identifying the precipitating problems, identifying coping strategies and promoting new strategies. The mother’s opinions, expressed some months after the discharge of their babies, suggests that this kind of intervention in a neonatology service was important to the emotional condition of those mothers, contributing to a less painful experience of the situation.

Keywords : Psychological support; group support; support to mothers; neonatology; crisis intervention.

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