Exploring the challenges faced by parents of premature infants in balancing work and family life
Official title: Juggling Roles: A Study of Diverse Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parents and Their Work-Family Transition
Funded at Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-10923547 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how parents of premature babies in the NICU manage their work and family life, especially focusing on the challenges faced by diverse families, like those from Black and low-income backgrounds, to help improve support for them and their babies.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Providence, United States) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $437,475 |
| NIH project number | 1DP5OD037403-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10923547 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are parents of infants born very preterm (less than 32 weeks gestational age) who are currently in the NICU.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have infants in the NICU or whose infants were born at term may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the experiences of parents with premature infants in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and how their work-family dynamics affect their involvement in their child's care. It focuses on understanding the barriers that diverse families, particularly those from Black and low socioeconomic backgrounds, face when trying to support their infants' development while managing work responsibilities. By identifying these challenges, the research aims to inform policies that can enhance parental involvement and promote better outcomes for preterm infants. The study will utilize qualitative methods to gather insights from parents and caregivers about their experiences and the external factors influencing their ability to engage with their infants in the NICU.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved support systems for parents of premature infants, enhancing their ability to participate in their child's care and promoting better developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that addressing parental involvement in the NICU can lead to significant improvements in infant outcomes, suggesting that this approach has the potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
Providence, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Craft, Alexandrea L. — Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island
- Study coordinator: Craft, Alexandrea L.
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Juggling Work and Family for Parents of Very Preterm Babies
A study to understand how work and family demands affect parents of very preterm infants and how this shapes their ability to support their baby’s development.
-
Balancing work and family after a NICU stay
This project follows parents of very preterm infants to understand how they manage returning to work and caring for their baby, with special attention to Black and low-income families.
-
Phthalate Exposure and How It Affects Newborns in the NICU
This grant looks at how chemicals called phthalates in the NICU environment may affect the health and development of newborns, especially those born prematurely.
-
Improving care for opioid use disorder in the ICU
This project helps hospital staff in intensive care units provide better care for patients with opioid use disorder.
-
Implementing SDOH screening and referrals in the NICU to support fragile newborns
A NICU-based program to screen newborns and families for social needs and connect them to services that can improve health and development.
-
Attenuating Depression with Internet CBT to Slow Cognitive Decline in Older ICU Survivors
A new online cognitive behavioral therapy program is being tested to help older ICU survivors who are experiencing depressive symptoms and may be at risk for cognitive decline.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.