A Study to Assess the Level of Stress and Coping Mechanism among Mothers of Neonates Admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Selected Hospitals of Guwahati, Assam

Abstract

Aim and Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the level of stress and coping mechanism among mothers admitted in neonatal intensive care unit and to find the association between stress and coping with selected demographic variables in selected hospitals of Guwahati, Assam.

Methods: The research approach adopted for the study was quantitative descriptive approach and the research design was descriptive survey design. The samples of 150 were selected by convenient sampling hospitals technique from three randomly selected hospitals of Guwahati city. A structured interview schedule was developed to collect the demographic information, stress, and coping mechanism among mothers. The data obtained were analyzed in terms of frequency and percentage distribution, Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Chi-square value were presented in tables and graphs.

Results: The findings revealed that 64.0% of sample had moderate level of stress, followed by 24.0% had high level of stress and only 12.0% low level of stress. On the other hand, maximum, that is, 59% had poor coping mechanism, 37% had moderate level of coping mechanism, and only 4.0% had high level of coping mechanism. A significant positive correlation (r = 0.223) was observed between stress and coping mechanism. There was no significant association observed between stress and selected demographic variables. On the contrary, except family income there was no significant association found between coping mechanism and selected demographic variables.

Conclusion: The findings of the study concluded that mothers of neonate always in stress. Hence, there is a need for interventional program to make adjustment or adapt to the hospitalization to overcome with the stress.