Navigating hope and hardship : post-NICU journey for parents of preterm infants in Lebanon – a qualitative study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of the study was to explore parents' experiences, perceptions, challenges and coping mechanisms after discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit. METHODS: The study adopted a qualitative descriptive design. Semi-structured interviews with 15 families (including 15 mothers and 5 fathers) from private and public hospitals in Lebanon. We analysed data following the six-step framework of inductive thematic analysis. RESULTS: 15 families participated in the interviews. The emerging themes reflected that the post-discharge period is mentally, physically and emotionally overwhelming to parents, who perceived their discharge preparation as insufficient. Parents faced challenges with infant care and struggled with financial strain. However, they used positive coping strategies, such as gratitude and joy, as well as problem-focused coping mechanisms, including seeking help from healthcare professionals, family and friends, online resources and digital platforms. Parents also reflected on insights for a better post-discharge experience. CONCLUSION: Transitioning from the neonatal intensive care unit to home, parents of preterm infants experienced conflicting feelings of excitement, anxiety and fear. In the context of Lebanon, their needs for emotional, social and financial support were often unmet. Understanding their challenges is essential to developing effective strategies for support in their caregiving responsibilities.