Exploring the challenges faced by parents of premature infants in balancing work and family life

Juggling Roles: A Study of Diverse Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parents and Their Work-Family Transition

NIH-funded research Women and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island · NIH-10923547

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 typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionWomen and Infants Hospital-Rhode Island NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Providence, United States)
Project IDNIH-10923547 on NIH RePORTER

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.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are parents of infants born very preterm (less than 32 weeks gestational age) who are currently in the NICU.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have infants in the NICU or whose infants were born at term may not receive any benefit from this research.

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 performed: 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

Providence, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.