Examining technology use and mental health among parents with newborns in the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the relationship between pandemic-related stressors, mental health, and technology use among parents of hospitalized infants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 47 participants who had an infant in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) during the pandemic was completed. Participants ranked several statements on a Likert scale to assess mental health, technology use, and COVID-19-related stress during their infant's stay in the NICU.

RESULTS

Mental health wellness scores were negatively associated with COVID-19-related stress (  0.40,    The most prevalent stressor was hospital visitation restriction. Higher COVID-19-related stress was associated with greater use of text and video chat [   Enjoyment of technology use and access to technology were positively associated with higher mental health wellness scores [(

CONCLUSIONS

Social uses of technology were valuable in a cohort of parents with infants hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic.

INNOVATION

Technology is a tool that can help parents cope with the stress of having a hospitalized infant. Digital literacy and technology access should be promoted in the post-pandemic landscape to help parents of infants in the NICU attain more benefit from these resources.