Arslanlı, Sevilay Ergün; Aygüler, Edip; Kasımoğlu, Necla; Çelik, İsa

Aim: This study aimed to investigate fathers' newborn care-related experiences, identify the factors affecting their participation in the care process and explore their support needs. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a phenomenological design. Data were collected through in-depth face-to-face interviews conducted based on a semi-structured interview guide. The data were analysed using Colaizzi's phenomenological data analysis method. Results: Fathers were willing to participate in newborn care and were particularly involved in practices such as feeding and basic hygiene care. Lack of experience, fear of harming the baby and lack of self-confidence regarding caregiving skills emerged as significant difficulties experienced by the fathers in newborn care. The fathers pointed out that their wives, healthcare professionals and family members were important sources of support, while demanding work schedules, limited paternity leave and traditional gender roles were among the leading barriers limiting their participation in caregiving. Conclusion: The fathers were willing to participate in newborn care, but their participation in the care process was limited owing to individual, social and structural barriers. It is believed that strengthening their caregiving skills and creating supportive environmental conditions will increase their participation in newborn care. Implications for Practice: Healthcare professionals, particularly pediatric and neonatal nurses, should develop father-focused training programmes and provide guidance on care practices to encourage fathers to participate in newborn care actively. Developing policies that support paternity leave and family-centred care practices can also increase fathers' involvement in early infant care.

Ayran, Gülsün; Çevik Özdemir, Hamide Nur

Aim: This research was conducted to evaluate the mediation effect of anxiety and life satisfaction on the relationship between Care burden and Parent Child Relationship in Turkish parents during the COVID-19 epidemic. Methods: The research was carried out with parents (221 women and 219 men) who have children between the ages of 6–18 living in Turkey. Data were collected in June–July 2021 using the demographic data form, “Care Burden Scale,” “Pervasive Anxiety Disorder-7 Test,” “Satisfaction with Life Scale,” and “Parent Child Relationship Scale.” Path analysis was used to analyse the relationships. In this study, structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to examine the path analysis. Results: It was found that the burden of care and anxiety of the parents and the parent–child conflict relationship were positively correlated and negatively correlated with the life satisfaction and parent–child closeness relationship (p < 0.05). Path model analyses revealed that the burden of care had a direct effect on anxiety and life satisfaction, and an indirect effect on the parent–child relationship, respectively. Conclusions: It shows that parents' perceptions of how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting their mental health have implications for parent and child well-being, with stronger relationships for low-income families. Anxiety and life satisfaction had a mediating effect between care burden and parent–child relationship. Given the demonstrable impact of COVID-19 on the parent–child relationship, this study may guide the planning of coping strategies and programmes focused on mental health.

Sarialioğlu, Arzu; Kurudirek, Fatma; Oluç, Tuğba

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of reading a preoperative preparation-themed storybook on children's preoperative fear and anxiety levels. Methods: The research design was a randomized controlled experiment. The research sample included 80 children (40 in the story group and 40 in the control group) who met the inclusion criteria. Data collection tools were collected through face-to-face interviews with the ‘Survey Form’, ‘Child Fear Scale (CFS)’ and ‘Modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale (mYPAS)’. In the research, the book named Elif Has Surgery was used as an intervention tool. In the story group, the preoperative preparation-themed storybook was read to the child in their room at the clinic by their mother within 10 min. The control group received only clinical routine. The study was approved by the ethics committee. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the mean scores of the CFS and mYPAS scales in the control and story groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study found that reading a preoperative preparation-themed storybook reduced children's fear and anxiety before surgery. It may be recommended to expand the use of preoperative preparation-themed storybooks in order to prevent fear and anxiety experienced before surgery in paediatric surgery clinics. Story reading is an effective, cheap, non-pharmacological intervention. The clinical trial registration number is NCT05478369.