Internal and External Variables Associated with Late Preterm Infant Mothers' Readiness for Discharge

Abstract

The purpose of this quantitative correlational descriptive study is to describe the relationships among internal and external variables and any associations with the concept of readiness for discharge. The internal variables include feeling a sense of security, empowerment, confidence, coping abilities, and perception of the crisis. The external variables include the preterm birth, support systems, and resources. Relationships between demographic covariances, internal, and external variables is described in this study. A secondary purpose is to describe the use of Hill’s Double ABCX Model of Stress and Adaptation to conceptualize the LPI mother’s readiness for discharge. A convenience sample of 178 mothers consented to complete the electronic survey. A total of 163 completed a portion of the electronic survey and 101 participants completed the full electronic survey. In Qualtrics, an on-line survey tool, six questionnaires: Everyday Stressor Index (Hall, 1983), Parents Postnatal Sense of Security (Persson, 2007), Family Support Scale (1984), Parent Readiness Questionnaire (2009), Social Support (Sarason, 1981), Coping Health Inventory for Parents (McCubbin, 1981), and FACES III of Family Adaptation (Olson, 1981) were formatted to measure each of the variables stated in the research questions. Results of the study show several significant positive relationships were found between discharge readiness, levels of parity, and a sense of security. No significant relationships were found between mothers’ age and readiness for discharge, postnatal sense of security, and adaptability. No significant correlation between resilience/coping and the LPI mother’s readiness for discharge was identified. A negative correlation between stressors, support, and self-esteem was shown. A significant positive correlation between support, confidence, self-esteem, and feeling prepared to discharge was revealed. The results of this study will contribute to the healthcare providers understanding of how internal stressors negatively influences LPI mothers while external support increases the LPI mother’s confidence, self-esteem and feeling prepared to discharge. Providing nursing interventions to mitigate stress and increase support to LPI mothers promotes safer transitions to home.