SciELO - Scientific Electronic Library Online

 
vol.8 issue2Fetal malformation: Psychological experiences of the coupleMetric properties of a portuguese version of theabridged, 5-item version of the internacional indexof erectile function (IIEF-5) author indexsubject indexarticles search
Home Pagealphabetic serial listing  

Services on Demand

Journal

Article

Indicators

Related links

  • Have no similar articlesSimilars in SciELO

Share


Psicologia, Saúde & Doenças

Print version ISSN 1645-0086

Abstract

BARROS, Sibelle Maria Martins de  and  TRINDADE, Zeidi Araujo. “Premature” motherhood: A phychosociological investigation in a neonatal intensive care unit. Psic., Saúde & Doenças [online]. 2007, vol.8, n.2, pp.253-269. ISSN 1645-0086.

Having a premature baby interned in a Neonatal ICU is generally considere d a difficult and unexpected moment for many women. To understand such an experience, the present work attempted to apprehend the social representations of mother hood and fatherhood among mothers with interned premature baby in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Semi-structured interviews with seven mothers in a public hospital in state of Espírito Santo (Brazil) were conducted, and then submitted to content analysis. The results indicated the recurrence to traditional models of the parental roles, which contributed to an overburden of responsibility for the mothers. It was, though, observed, that the attempt by some fathers for a closer relation with the child was discouraged by some mothers. This study highlights the need to rescue and understand the psychological universe of the mothers, inserting the fathers in this context, since little is known about how fathers understand and cope this delicate period. The results evidenced also the need for new assistance models, sustained by constant critical reflection by the professionals about their own representation s and practices in this context, in order not to direct care and responsibilities solely to the mothers.

Keywords : High-risk Premature newborn; Maternity; Neonatal intensive care unit (NICU); Paternity; Social representations.

        · abstract in Portuguese     · text in Portuguese     · Portuguese ( pdf )