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NCT Number: NCT07401043

Mothers Anxiety About Preterm Infants Care

It has been reported that mothers of preterm infants who experience anxiety face challenges in participating in infant care. However, the effect of solution-focused approach on reducing the anxiety of mothers of premature infants is unknown. This study was conducted to assess the effects of Solution-Focused Approach on the anxiety levels of mothers who are anxious about preterm infants care. A randomized controlled trial design. The present study was carried out in the Neonatal Intensive Care Units of three hospitals in a city center. In the study, the sample group was determined as 40 mothers, 20 of whom were interventions and 20 were control. In this study, eight 30-40minute solution-focused interviews were held with the participants in the intervention group subjected to the Solution Focused Approach. Of the mothers in the intervention group, 5% had triplet pregnancy, 75% gave birth by cesarean section, 80% had health problems during pregnancy and 95% did not receive training on infant care during pregnancy. The differences in scale scores obtained during follow-ups were greater in the intervention group than in the control group. It was determined that the intervention undergone by the mothers of the preterm infants in the intervention group decreased the mothers' anxiety levels about infant care and increased their solution-focused coping skills. Following the intervention, moms in the intervention group showed improvement in all of their self-perception skills about their care needs. The Solution-Focused Approach decreased state-trait anxiety levels of mothers who were anxious about preterm infant care, and improved their solution-focused coping skills. The Individual Solution-Focused Approach decreased state and trait anxiety levels of primiparous mothers who were anxious about preterm infant care, and improved their solution-focused coping skills. Nurses' application of this approach can reduce the anxiety levels of mothers who are worried about preterm infant care. It can contribute to mothers to develop a solution-focused perspective.

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Key information

Conditions

Maternal Anxiety

Age range

18 year–45 year

Sex eligibility

Female

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Sivas Cumhuriyet University Research and Training Hospital - Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

Sivas, 58140, Turkey (Türkiye)

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Primiparous mothers
  • Having a preterm infant hospitalized in the NICU
  • Being in the discharge or mother-infant harmony process
  • Scoring ≥20 on at least one anxiety inventory
  • Ability to communicate in Turkish
  • Voluntary participation and written informed consent

Exclusion criteria

  • Having a serious medical or psychiatric condition preventing participation
  • Mother reporting she cannot continue the interviews
  • Mother being out of the province during the intervention dates

Treatment and study plan

Solution-Focused Approach (SFA)

Behavioral

The intervention consisted of eight individual Solution-Focused Approach (SFA) sessions lasting 30-45 minutes each. Three sessions were provided in the NICU mother-infant harmony room during the discharge process and five sessions were conducted at home during planned home visits. Techniques included goal setting, identifying exceptions, miracle questions, scaling, reframing, and letter writing. The intervention aimed to reduce maternal anxiety related to caring for a preterm infant and to improve solution-focused thinking skills.

Primary outcomes

  1. State Anxiety Score

    Time frame: At baseline; one week after completion of the intervention; 2-month after completion of the intervention

    Change in mothers' state anxiety levels measured using the State Anxiety Inventory (20-80 points; higher scores indicate greater anxiety). The scale was administered at baseline; one week after completion of the intervention; 2-month after completion of the intervention.

  2. Trait Anxiety Score

    Time frame: At baseline; one week after completion of the intervention; 2-month after completion of the intervention

    Change in mothers' trait anxiety levels measured with the Trait Anxiety Inventory (20-80 points). Higher scores indicate higher trait anxiety. Measurements were taken at baseline; one week after completion of the intervention; 2-month after completion of the intervention.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Solution-Focused Thinking Skills Score

    Time frame: At baseline; one week after completion of the intervention; 2-month after completion of the intervention

    Change in mothers' solution-focused thinking skills as measured by the Solution-Focused Inventory (12-72 points; higher scores indicate stronger solution-focused thinking). Scale administered at baseline; one week after completion of the intervention; 2-month after completion of the intervention.

  2. Home Care Needs Competence

    Time frame: At baseline; one week after completion of the intervention

    Change in mothers' competencies in providing home care to their preterm infants, measured using the Home Care Needs Evaluation Form for Mothers of Preterm Infants. This form assesses maternal competence across multiple care domains. Higher scores indicate greater competence.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Nurcan Akgül Gündoğdu

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Solution-Focused Approach on Mothers Anxiety About Preterm Infants Care

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2020
First posted
Feb 10, 2026
Registry last updated
Feb 10, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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