The experience of fathers whose infants were hospitalized in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in South Korea: A scoping review

The purpose of this scoping review was to map and organize the previous studies conducted among fathers whose infants experienced admission to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in South Korea. A scoping review was conducted based on Arksey and O'Malley using the JBI template. The review was described by PRISMA-ScR. The studies were reviewed through five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, RISS and KMbase) since 1996. Each study was analyzed, extracted, and summarized into the following domains: general characteristics (language, design, data collection methods, intervention, data collection site, and time) and fathers' characteristics (types of fathers, mean age, variables related to the fathers, and measurements). A total of 290 studies were identified after screening titles and abstracts, and 32 full-text articles were retrieved for eligibility. Finally, 15 articles were included in the review. Four themes were derived after review: paternal stress, paternal attachment, fathers' adaptation, and fathers' support needs. Infants' hospitalization in NICUs causes stress for fathers but they overcome difficulties and play multiple roles as guardians, caregivers, and decision-makers of their spouses and infants over time. Paternal attachment increases significantly after participating in tactile and educational interventions. Fathers rely on nurses and they want to receive support from nurses. It is necessary for NICU nurses to understand and support fathers whose infants are hospitalized in NICUs. Medical institutions should provide nursing interventions and education for fathers to relieve their stress, help their adaptation, and improve attachment. •When infants were hospitalized in the NICU, fathers experienced a high level of stress.•Fathers have difficulty forming attachments and showed low attachment in visual perception to their infants.•Fathers in this study felt a role burden as they were given multiple new roles when their infants were hospitalized in NICU.•Fathers recognized NICU nurses as their supporters.