Infant mental wellbeing – supporting fathers’ mental health and wellbeing in the neonatal intensive care unit

This project aims to develop strategies and interventions to support NICU fathers’ mental health and wellbeing. The proposed interventions will lead to positive mental health outcomes for NICU fathers that will in turn lead to positive infant mental health and family functioning.

Research overview

Infant mental health is directly related to that of their parents. Fathers, like mothers, experience psychological difficulties when their newborn is admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). These difficulties can negatively impact family functioning and infants’ mental health, yet most interventions to support NICU parents are mother-centred.

Interventions in NICU to support fathers’ mental health and wellbeing are limited, despite it being a stressful environment for both parents.

This project aims to develop strategies and interventions to support NICU fathers’ mental health and wellbeing. The proposed interventions will lead to positive mental health outcomes for NICU fathers that will in turn lead to positive infant mental health and family functioning.