Volume 12, Issue 2 (Summer- In Press 2026)
J Health Res Commun 2026, 12(2): 0-0 |
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Heydarzadeh F, Razaghi N, Sadat Hoseini A S. The Relationship Between Caregiver Burden, Fatigue, and Sleep Quality in Mothers of Preterm Infants Hospitalized in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. J Health Res Commun 2026; 12 (2)
URL: http://jhc.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-1183-en.html
URL: http://jhc.mazums.ac.ir/article-1-1183-en.html
School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract: (20 Views)
Background and Objectives: Identifying the determinants of caregiving burden in mothers of preterm infants hospitalized in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is crucial for developing targeted psychological and supportive nursing interventions. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between caregiving burden, fatigue, and sleep quality among mothers of preterm infants admitted to the NICU over a one‑year period in 2024.
Methods: This descriptive‑correlational study was conducted in the NICUs of teaching hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. A total of 123 mothers were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through self‑report questionnaires, including a demographic information form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a standard fatigue scale (Piper Fatigue Scale‑Modified), and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (Novak & Guest). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, independent t‑tests, Pearson correlation, and binary logistic regression.
Results: The mean total scores were 10.63 ± 5.30 for sleep quality (PSQI), 57.19 ± 13.44 for caregiving burden, and 39.25 ± 11.41 for fatigue. These findings indicate that mothers experienced poor sleep quality, a moderate level of caregiving burden, and severe fatigue. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between poor sleep quality and caregiving burden (*p* < 0.001). Similarly, fatigue demonstrated a significant correlation with both caregiving burden and poor sleep quality (*p* < 0.001). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that fatigue (OR = 13.7) and sleep disturbance (OR = 8.6) were significant predictors of caregiving burden, even after adjusting for demographic and clinical confounders.
Conclusion: The findings highlight a strong interrelationship between caregiving burden, fatigue, and sleep disturbances among mothers of preterm infants in the NICU. These results underscore the urgent need for healthcare systems to provide adequate facilities and psychosocial support to address these challenges. Concurrent management of fatigue and enhancement of maternal sleep quality should be considered not only as independent therapeutic goals but also as key strategies for alleviating caregiving burden. The design and implementation of structured, evidence‑based nursing interventions aimed at improving sleep patterns and reducing fatigue in this vulnerable population are strongly warranted.
Methods: This descriptive‑correlational study was conducted in the NICUs of teaching hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. A total of 123 mothers were selected using convenience sampling. Data were collected through self‑report questionnaires, including a demographic information form, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), a standard fatigue scale (Piper Fatigue Scale‑Modified), and the Caregiver Burden Inventory (Novak & Guest). Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, independent t‑tests, Pearson correlation, and binary logistic regression.
Results: The mean total scores were 10.63 ± 5.30 for sleep quality (PSQI), 57.19 ± 13.44 for caregiving burden, and 39.25 ± 11.41 for fatigue. These findings indicate that mothers experienced poor sleep quality, a moderate level of caregiving burden, and severe fatigue. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between poor sleep quality and caregiving burden (*p* < 0.001). Similarly, fatigue demonstrated a significant correlation with both caregiving burden and poor sleep quality (*p* < 0.001). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that fatigue (OR = 13.7) and sleep disturbance (OR = 8.6) were significant predictors of caregiving burden, even after adjusting for demographic and clinical confounders.
Conclusion: The findings highlight a strong interrelationship between caregiving burden, fatigue, and sleep disturbances among mothers of preterm infants in the NICU. These results underscore the urgent need for healthcare systems to provide adequate facilities and psychosocial support to address these challenges. Concurrent management of fatigue and enhancement of maternal sleep quality should be considered not only as independent therapeutic goals but also as key strategies for alleviating caregiving burden. The design and implementation of structured, evidence‑based nursing interventions aimed at improving sleep patterns and reducing fatigue in this vulnerable population are strongly warranted.
Keywords: Caregiving burden, Sleep quality, Fatigue, Preterm infant, Mothers, Neonatal intensive care unit, NICU
Type of Study: Research(Original) |
Subject:
Health Education and Promotion
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