Social work intervention with parents of a premature infant

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:The research originated from the researcher's interest in the effect of high-riskpregnancy, premature birth and infancy on the emotional well-being of parents. Theresearch undertaken particularly focused on exploring the psychosocial experiences ofparents with a premature infant. The study aimed at investigating various social workintervention strategies that can be applied to address the problematic factors parents witha premature infant are confronted with. The purpose of this research is to provide atheoretical knowledge basis, in order to set guidelines for social work intervention, toensure effective service rendering to parents with premature infants.The research report includes a review of the literature discussing premature labour andbirth, the premature infant and the psychosocial experiences of parents. Social work inhealth care, kangaroo care, crisis intervention, family therapy and grief counselling arealso discussed to create a theoretical knowledge basis in order to serve as a guideline forsocial workers, to ensure effective and efficient social work service rendering to parentswith a premature infant.The empirical research involved the use of both qualitative and quantitative methods toexplore the psychosocial experiences of parents and the effectiveness of social workintervention. The population admitted in the Military hospital during the period 2001 to2003 consisted of +- 60 cases. To enable the researcher to conduct the research study50% of the overall population was used which resulted in a sample of 20 respondentsconsulted in the period 2002 to 2003. The respondents were invited to a group meetingwhere questionnaires, which included open-ended and closed questions, were used tocollect the data.The results obtained were analyzed and compared to relevant literature in order to assessthe reliability of the research. Conclusions were drawn and recommendations were offered from the findings of the study. The fmdings of this study serve as a guideline forprofessionals, specifically social workers in the medical setting, to be able to render aneffective service to parents with a premature infant.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University