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CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Translation and validation of the Parental Stressor Scale in NICU (PSS: NICU): Pilot findings from a Greek sample
1
Department of Midwifery, School of Health and Care Sciences, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
2
Hellenic Midwives Association, Athens, Greece
3
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IASO Maternity - Gynecology Clinic, Athens,
Greece
4
Nursing Directorate, IASO Maternity - Gynecology Clinic, Athens, Greece
5
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, General and Maternity Hospital Helena Venizelou, Athens, Greece
6
Third Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of
Athens, Athens, Greece
7
First Department of Pediatrics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of
Athens, Athens, Greece
Publication date: 2025-10-24
Eur J Midwifery 2025;9(Supplement 1):A55
ABSTRACT
Abstract overview:
Admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is widely recognized as a highly stressful and emotionally overwhelming experience for parents. The Parental Stressor Scale: NICU (PSS:NICU) is an established instrument used internationally to assess stress in parents of hospitalized neonates. Although translated and validated in multiple languages, a Greek version is currently lacking, limiting its clinical utility in Greek NICU settings.
Aims and objectives:
This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and conduct a preliminary validation of the PSS:NICU for use among Greek-speaking parents of hospitalized neonates.
Method:
The scale was translated using a standard forward–backward method, reviewed by a multidisciplinary expert panel, and pretested with NICU parents. The final version was administered to parents whose neonates had been hospitalized ≥7 days in Greek NICUs. Data were collected via paper or online questionnaires. Analyses included descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and Pearson’s correlations to assess convergent validity. SPSS v27.0 was used; p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
Sixty parents participated in the study. The majority were female (68.3%), aged 31–40 (51.7%), married (78.3%), high school graduates (31.7%), and employed in the private sector (53.3%). The highest stress levels were reported for “Sudden monitor alarms” (mean=3.45; SD=1.26), “When my baby seemed to be in pain” (mean=4.11; SD=1.03), and “Being separated from my baby” (mean=4.17; SD=1.11). Reliability was acceptable across subscales (α=.82–.90) and total (α=.91). Corrected item-total correlations exceeded .30 for most items; no items were removed. Mean subscale scores ranged from 2.56 to 3.60. All subscales were positively and significantly intercorrelated (r=0.39–0.92; p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Preliminary findings support the reliability and cultural relevance of the Greek PSS:NICU. The tool can assist healthcare teams in identifying sources of parental stress in NICU settings and guide family-centered care interventions.
Admission to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is widely recognized as a highly stressful and emotionally overwhelming experience for parents. The Parental Stressor Scale: NICU (PSS:NICU) is an established instrument used internationally to assess stress in parents of hospitalized neonates. Although translated and validated in multiple languages, a Greek version is currently lacking, limiting its clinical utility in Greek NICU settings.
Aims and objectives:
This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and conduct a preliminary validation of the PSS:NICU for use among Greek-speaking parents of hospitalized neonates.
Method:
The scale was translated using a standard forward–backward method, reviewed by a multidisciplinary expert panel, and pretested with NICU parents. The final version was administered to parents whose neonates had been hospitalized ≥7 days in Greek NICUs. Data were collected via paper or online questionnaires. Analyses included descriptive statistics, internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha), and Pearson’s correlations to assess convergent validity. SPSS v27.0 was used; p<0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
Sixty parents participated in the study. The majority were female (68.3%), aged 31–40 (51.7%), married (78.3%), high school graduates (31.7%), and employed in the private sector (53.3%). The highest stress levels were reported for “Sudden monitor alarms” (mean=3.45; SD=1.26), “When my baby seemed to be in pain” (mean=4.11; SD=1.03), and “Being separated from my baby” (mean=4.17; SD=1.11). Reliability was acceptable across subscales (α=.82–.90) and total (α=.91). Corrected item-total correlations exceeded .30 for most items; no items were removed. Mean subscale scores ranged from 2.56 to 3.60. All subscales were positively and significantly intercorrelated (r=0.39–0.92; p<0.05).
Conclusion:
Preliminary findings support the reliability and cultural relevance of the Greek PSS:NICU. The tool can assist healthcare teams in identifying sources of parental stress in NICU settings and guide family-centered care interventions.
| eISSN: | 2585-2906 |
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