Infant Crying and Neonatal Nurses’ Performance and Well-Being: A Mixed-Methods Study
Nasra Idilbi, Gizell Green, Layalleh Masalha, Dvorah Cohen, Wesal Ghantous, Sabaa Masarwe, Sarit Rashkovits, Nasra AbdelhadiBackground:
Nursing staff in neonatal units are routinely exposed to prolonged and intense infant crying, which when combined with other hospital noises, can contribute to both physical stress and psychological stress.
Objective:
We sought to examine the association between exposure to infant crying and the physiological and psychological well-being of neonatal nurses and work performance.
Methods:
A mixed-methods questionnaire was distributed to rotating-shift neonatal nurses at 7 medical centers in Israel. Ethics approval was obtained; participants gave written informed consent. Data were collected anonymously between July and August 2024.
Results:
A total of 210 female nurses responded to the survey. Hierarchical regression and mediation analyses, controlling for professional seniority, showed that perceived unit resources and preparedness were significantly associated with lower immediate emotional-functional response (β = −0.38,
Conclusion:
Nurses working in neonatal care may experience emotional and psychological strain due to continuous exposure to infant crying. Hospital administrators must consider environmental modifications to support the mental well-being of nursing staff, ultimately improving patient care and job satisfaction.