The purpose of this qualitative study was to gain knowledge of the lived experience of mothers of premature infants in a Level-IVneonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Additionally, the purpose of the dissertation study was to have a more in-depth understanding ofmothers’ experience of mothering in a Level-IV NICU. The eight participants were mothers of premature infants in a Level-IV NICU who had been admitted for a least one month. Data sources for the dissertation study were a demographic form, the primary investigator’s journal, two individual semi-structured interviews, and fieldnotes. The person-environment-occupation model and an occupational theory of human nature were used to frame the research design. The investigator found five themes and two subthemes, which were unanticipated journey to becoming a mother, emotional rollercoaster, mother’s lost voice, cultural influences, roadblocks to mothering, unexpected layer to mothering occupations, and support from mothering occupations. Each theme used had a description of a mother’s experience with mothering occupations and co-occupations in a Level-IV NICU. Occupational therapists can improve occupation-based practice in the NICU by incorporating mothering occupations and co-occupations between mothers and their premature infants.
| Date of Award | Jan 1 2021 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Supervisor | Kristin Winston (Supervisor), Elise Bloch (Advisor) & Jenene Woods Craig (Advisor) |
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