| Title: |
Neonatal Nurses' Understanding of the Factors That Enhance and Hinder Early Communication between Preterm Infants and Their Parents: A Narrative Inquiry Study |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Julia Petty (ORCID 0000-0002-3639-2881); Lisa Whiting (ORCID 0000-0003-4184-1933); Celia Harding (ORCID 0000-0002-5192-2027) |
| Source: |
International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders. 2025 60(4). |
| Availability: |
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www.wiley.com/en-us |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
12 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Descriptors: |
Neonates; Nurses; Knowledge Level; Premature Infants; Parent Child Relationship; Interpersonal Communication; Interaction; Barriers; Communication Strategies; Clothing; Hygiene; Language Acquisition; Speech Language Pathology; Allied Health Personnel |
| DOI: |
10.1111/1460-6984.70093 |
| ISSN: |
1368-2822; 1460-6984 |
| Abstract: |
Background: Infants born preterm are at high risk of facing difficulties with acquiring speech, language and communication skills. Research on the direct benefits of parent--infant communication in neonatal units is limited. This study recognises that although neonatal nurses regard early communication as important, there is scope to develop a wider range of resources to help support professionals' understanding of the importance of communication in neonatal care. Aim: To explore neonatal nurses' understanding of factors that can enable or hinder early communication and interaction between preterm infants and parents within a neonatal unit setting. Methods and Procedures: This study employed a narrative inquiry approach with nine neonatal nurses, selected through purposive sampling. Narrative interviews investigated nurses' views and understanding of the enablers and challenges to communication in this patient group, along with their role in enhancing early communication between infants and parents. Data reporting was undertaken using the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Studies (COREQ), aligning with Enhancing the QUAlity and Transparency of Health Research (EQUATOR) framework. Outcomes and Results: Narrative analysis revealed the following four themes: the importance of education and experience in neonatal care; supporting parents of infants receiving neonatal care; encouraging communication strategies; the impact of limiting parental presence and wearing facemasks. Conclusions and Implications: Neonatal nurses commented that using early communication strategies with infants and supporting parents to learn how to communicate directly with their infant is essential. However, none were able to fully describe the key components of early communication from a linguistic perspective, nor give specific examples beyond skin-to-skin care, bonding, reading infant cues and hearing familial voices during conversation and reading. Although these are very important antecedent skills that provide a framework for developing communication, they are not always a direct means to enhance language development specifically. As preterm infants are at high risk of altered language and communication development, a real need exists for neonatal nurses to develop linguistically rooted methods to support communication for parents and their infants, in conjunction with allied healthcare professionals such as speech and language therapists. This support can enable the development of positive communication, enriched and extended after leaving the neonatal unit. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2025 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1478068 |
| Database: |
ERIC |