Other Titles
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Care Experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ Parents in Canada: Preliminary Findings [Poster Title]
Abstract
Purpose: The prevailing cis-heteronormative environment of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can negatively impact the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents.1 The purpose of this study is to explore the lived NICU care experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents in Canada, the meanings parents assign to these experiences, and their recommendations for NICU care.
Methods: Guided by van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenology, this study utilizes semi-structured interviews with journey maps. Purposeful sampling is being used to select English-speaking participants who identify as a 2SLGBTQIA+ parent and who had an infant in a Canadian NICU within the past 5 years. Recruitment is being done using a dedicated social media account. Prior to their interview, parents draw a journey map to outline the timeline of their NICU experience. Virtual interviews, supported by their journey map, then explore parents’ experiences and interactions in the NICU, the impact of their 2SLGBTQIA+ identity, and their recommendations. Four parents have been interviewed. Thematic analysis (underway) is guided by van Manen’s selective approach. An ongoing, collaborative approach to thematic discussion is enhancing insights and maintaining rigor.
Preliminary Findings: Parents have a diverse range of experiences in the NICU that are influenced by both their 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and the place in which they received care. Parents also experienced common NICU joys and stressors. Experiences were improved when they received care from 2SLGBTQIA+-identifying nurses, with parents’ recommendations centering on enhanced 2SLGBTQIA+ awareness throughout the NICU.
Significance: This study will add to the body of literature highlighting the voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents within perinatal healthcare in Canada. This first of its kind study1 supports best practice recommendations for promoting 2SLGBTQIA+ health equity through inclusive, affirming, and safer spaces within healthcare.2
Notes
References:
1. Yinger, O., Jones, A., Fallin-Bennett, K., Gibbs, C., & Farr, R. (2024). Family-centered care for LGBTQ+ parents of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit: An integrative review. Children, 11(6), Article 615. https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060615
2. Registered Nurses’ Association of Ontario. (2021). Best practice guideline: Promoting 2SLGBTQI+ health equity. https://rnao.ca/sites/rnao-ca/files/bpg/2SLGBTQI_BPG_June_2021.pdf
Sigma Membership
Xi Lambda
Type
Poster
Format Type
Text-based Document
Study Design/Type
Phenomenology
Research Approach
Qualitative Research
Keywords:
Global Health Equity, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, NICU, 2SLGBTQIA+ Parents, Canada
Recommended Citation
Bell, Ashley and Woodgate, Roberta L., "The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Care Experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ Parents" (2025). International Nursing Research Congress (INRC). 202.
https://www.sigmarepository.org/inrc/2025/posters_2025/202
Conference Name
36th International Nursing Research Congress
Conference Host
Sigma Theta Tau International
Conference Location
Seattle, Washington, USA
Conference Year
2025
Rights Holder
All rights reserved by the author(s) and/or publisher(s) listed in this item record unless relinquished in whole or part by a rights notation or a Creative Commons License present in this item record.
Review Type
Abstract Review Only: Reviewed by Event Host
Acquisition
Proxy-submission
The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Care Experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ Parents
Seattle, Washington, USA
Purpose: The prevailing cis-heteronormative environment of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) can negatively impact the well-being of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents.1 The purpose of this study is to explore the lived NICU care experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents in Canada, the meanings parents assign to these experiences, and their recommendations for NICU care.
Methods: Guided by van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenology, this study utilizes semi-structured interviews with journey maps. Purposeful sampling is being used to select English-speaking participants who identify as a 2SLGBTQIA+ parent and who had an infant in a Canadian NICU within the past 5 years. Recruitment is being done using a dedicated social media account. Prior to their interview, parents draw a journey map to outline the timeline of their NICU experience. Virtual interviews, supported by their journey map, then explore parents’ experiences and interactions in the NICU, the impact of their 2SLGBTQIA+ identity, and their recommendations. Four parents have been interviewed. Thematic analysis (underway) is guided by van Manen’s selective approach. An ongoing, collaborative approach to thematic discussion is enhancing insights and maintaining rigor.
Preliminary Findings: Parents have a diverse range of experiences in the NICU that are influenced by both their 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and the place in which they received care. Parents also experienced common NICU joys and stressors. Experiences were improved when they received care from 2SLGBTQIA+-identifying nurses, with parents’ recommendations centering on enhanced 2SLGBTQIA+ awareness throughout the NICU.
Significance: This study will add to the body of literature highlighting the voices of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents within perinatal healthcare in Canada. This first of its kind study1 supports best practice recommendations for promoting 2SLGBTQIA+ health equity through inclusive, affirming, and safer spaces within healthcare.2
Description
Using arts-based, qualitative methods, the purpose of this study is to explore the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) care experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ parents in Canada. Preliminary findings with four parents show that NICU experiences are impacted by parents’ 2SLGBTQIA+ identity and NICU location. They also experienced common NICU joys and stressors. Experiences were improved when parents received care from 2SLGBTQIA+ nurses, with parents’ recommending enhanced 2SLGBTQIA+ awareness in NICUs.