Ross JL, Cagino SG, Denefrio CL. Examining technology use and mental health among parents with newborns in the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.
PEC INNOVATION 2024;
4:100252. [PMID:
38205429 PMCID:
PMC10776774 DOI:
10.1016/j.pecinn.2023.100252]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Objectives
To investigate the relationship between pandemic-related stressors, mental health, and technology use among parents of hospitalized infants during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods
A cross-sectional study of 47 participants who had an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during the pandemic was completed. Participants ranked several statements on a Likert scale to assess mental health, technology use, and COVID-19-related stress during their infant's stay in the NICU.
Results
Mental health wellness scores were negatively associated with COVID-19-related stress (rs - 0.40, p = .015). The most prevalent stressor was hospital visitation restriction. Higher COVID-19-related stress was associated with greater use of text and video chat [(rs0.35, p = 0.016) and (rs0.33, p = .025)]. Enjoyment of technology use and access to technology were positively associated with higher mental health wellness scores [(rs0.42, p = .003) and (rs0.38, p = .009)].
Conclusions
Social uses of technology were valuable in a cohort of parents with infants hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Innovation
Technology is a tool that can help parents cope with the stress of having a hospitalized infant. Digital literacy and technology access should be promoted in the post-pandemic landscape to help parents of infants in the NICU attain more benefit from these resources.
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