A qualitative exploration of fathers' perceived roles and emotional experiences during their infant's hospitalization in the neonatal intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to explore the emotional experiences, perceived roles, and support needs of fathers whose infants were hospitalized in Neo natal Intensive Care Units (NICUs). Methods: Adescriptive qualitative designwitha phenomenologicalapproachwasemployed.Datawerecollected betweenMarchandMay2025intheNICUofapublichospitalinsouthernTürkiye.In-depth,semi-structuredinterviews were conducted with 27 Turkish-speaking fathers whose infants had been hospitalized in the NICU for at least one month. Thematic analysis, supported by NVi vo 12 software, was used to interpret the data. Results: Theanalysisrevealedfourcentralthemes:(1)emotionalresponsesandsupportneeds,(2)perceptionsof the paternal role, (3) communication with healthcare professionals, and (4) the impact of the NICU experience on family dynamics. Fathers commonly reported intense emotional distress such as anxiety, helplessness, and fear amplified bylimitedaccesstoinformation.Many felt excluded from caregiving due to institutionalpractices prioritizing maternal involvement. Effective communication with healthcare professionals was reported to ease emotionalburden,whileimpersonalorinconsistentinteractionscontributedtodistress.TheNICUexperienceinf luenced familydynamics indualways,strengthening familial bonds for someand causingemotional fatigue for others. Conclusions: The findingsunderscoretheneedforinclusive,father-sensitive practicesinNICUsto promote paternal engagement and emotional well-being. Implications for Practice : Implementing culturally responsive and father-focused strategies such as clear communication, flexible visitation, and inclusive caregiving policies can enhance family-centered care and foster greater paternal involvement an d resilience. © 2025 Elsevier Inc. All rights are reserved, including those for text and data minin g, AI training, and similar technologies.