The Effect of the Spiritual Kangaroo Care Program on an Infant’s Physical Growth, Behavioral State and Maternal Infant Attachment

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the efficacy of kangaroo care and spiritual care with a holy name on maternal attachment, growth, and behavior pattern of infants. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pre-post quasi-experimental design was used. In total, 32 parents and infants who were admitted to a certified tertiary hospital were enrolled. The intervention group underwent a spiritual care program through kangaroo care for at least six sessions over two weeks for 30 minutes per session. Body measurements and behavioral state were measured by a nurse practitioner, and maternal attachment was measured using a self-reported survey. The collected data were analyzed with t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, 2 test, and repeated measures analysis of variance using SPSS 21.0. Results: The intervention group showed increased body weight, head circumference, and maternal attachment compared to the control group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Height (F=4.70, p=.039) showed significant differences between the two groups, but not between the groups over time. The intervention group showed a decreasing behavioral state, but there was no statistically significant difference between the control group and the spiritual kangaroo care group. Conclusion: The Kangaroo care and spiritual care program can be applied as a supportive nursing intervention for preterm infants in the neonatal intensive care unit.