The Soundscape of Neonatal Intensive Care: A Mixed-Methods Study of the Parents’ Experience

Parents who have infants hospitalised in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) experience high levels of stress, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. However, whether sounds contribute to parents’ remains largely unknown. Critically, researchers lack a comprehensive instrument investigate the relationship between NICUs and parental stress. To address this gap, report presents “Soundscape NICU Questionnaire” (SON-Q), which was developed specifically capture perceptions beliefs about impact that sound had on them their infants, from pre-birth throughout stay first postdischarge period. children born preterm (n = 386) completed SON-Q Perinatal PTSD Questionnaire (PPQ). Principal Component Analysis identifying underlying dimensions comprising soundscape followed by an exploration relationships subscales PPQ. Moderation analysis carried out further elucidate variables. Finally, thematic employed analyse one memory open question. The results highlight systematic associations aspects stress/trauma. findings underscore importance developing specific studies area devising interventions best support mental health, could turn infants’ developmental outcomes.