WIP 82 - Investigating the Lived Experiences of Black Fathers in the NICU

Poster Number: WIP 82
Publication Number: WIP 82.873

Background: Due to U.S. social constructs, Black, as compared to White families are at higher risk of needing the NICU for their children, and Black mothers are at higher risk of morbidities and mortality in the post-partum year. Black and Hispanic mothers report different stressors as compared to White mothers. Data is limited, but Black fathers likely carry increased and intensified burdens of seeing illness in their loved ones.

Objective: To understand lived experiences of Black fathers of NICU patients as a basis for further investigation and quality improvement to support NICU families.

Design/Methods: Across 2 NICUs, up to 24 volunteer fathers who self-identify as Black will participate in in-person semi-structured digitally audio-recorded interviews. Purposive sampling diversifies the study group. Interview guides have been constructed based on literature reviewed and revised after cognitive interviews with a study consultant who is a Black father of a former NICU patient. After participating in the interview conducted by a researcher not involved in NICU clinical care, the participant completes a short socio-demographic anonymous online survey to report aggregate characteristics of the group. Grant funding provides $30 VISA gift cards for participants. After identifying data are removed from transcribed interviews, they will be analyzed by study team members using qualitative coding software (Dedoose, Los Angeles, CA). Routine meetings to refine codes and discuss newly emerging concepts within the data will occur with continued recruitment until thematic saturation is reached when additional interviews do not reveal new concepts. Consultants (a NICU social worker, NICU nurse, and aforementioned father of NICU graduate) will assist in assembling codes into themes. IRB approval is secured at both sites and data collection is ongoing. Currently, we have conducted 4 interviews. Coding and group analysis will begin once 6 interviews are done and will continue until thematic saturation is reached. We plan to complete data collection and analysis by March 2024.