Juggling Work and Family for Parents of Very Preterm Babies
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-11413664 · Data updated 2026-11-12
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.
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 | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $1,312,383 |
| NIH project number | 4DP5OD037403-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11413664 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Parents of very preterm infants (born before 32 weeks gestation) who are balancing work and caregiving in or after the NICU period.
✕Less likely to help
Families without work-family conflicts or those not involved with NICU care may see limited direct benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at families with babies born very early who often face nurse-physician separation and high stress at home. It aims to identify external factors, like work schedules and finances, that make it harder for parents to be involved in the NICU and their child’s development. The goal is to inform policies and practices that help diverse families stay connected with their preterm babies while balancing work. The study will explore how these dynamics influence long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes for both children and caregivers.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could lead to policies and programs that reduce work-family conflicts and support healthier development for preterm infants and their families.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work highlighted the importance of parental involvement in NICU care, but more evidence is needed on how work and family demands shape participation across diverse populations.
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.
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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.
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Exploring the challenges faced by parents of premature infants in balancing work and family life
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.
-
Phthalate Exposure and How It Affects Newborns in the NICU
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-
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.