# Equity for Parent Presence and Participation in Caregiving in the NICU

> **NIH NIH R01** · OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY · 2024 · $653,397

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
While some barriers and facilitators to parent presence and participation (PPP) in the neonatal intensive care
unit (NICU) have been identified, comprehensive descriptions of factors influencing PPP and changes in these
factors over time are lacking. Moreover, race- and socioeconomic-based disparities in PPP have been reported,
but the underlying causes of these disparities are unknown. To increase health equity for preterm infants and
their parents, the underlying factors influencing disparities in PPP must be identified. PPP is critical to
improving clinical outcomes and neurodevelopment for preterm infants. The purpose of the proposed study is
to comprehensively determine barriers and facilitators affecting PPP in the NICU and effects of PPP on infant
outcomes. Using a non-experimental, longitudinal design, the following specific aims and subaims will be
accomplished: (Aim 1) determine barriers and facilitators affecting PPP and changes in barriers and facilitators
over time; (Subaim 1) predict barriers and facilitators of PPP based on sociodemographic characteristics; (Aim
2) determine the effect of PPP on infant clinical outcomes and neurodevelopment; (Subaim 2) determine the
mediation effect of parent-infant responsiveness on the relationship between PPP and infant clinical outcomes
and neurodevelopment; (Aim 3) determine the moderation effect of PPP on the relationship between infant
stress exposure and infant clinical outcomes and neurodevelopment. Parents with an infant born less than 32
weeks gestational age will be enrolled. Parents will complete surveys throughout their infant’s hospitalization
to identify barriers and facilitators influencing PPP and to quantify their experiences of discrimination and
parent-staff engagement in the NICU. PPP will be quantified by parent-report, electronic health record
documentation, and NICU visitation logs. Infant clinical outcomes, including length of NICU stay and
achievement of oral feeding competence, will be measured throughout hospitalization and at discharge.
Neurodevelopment will be assessed at 3-months corrected age using the Test of Infant Motor Performance and
12-months corrected age using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Edition. Parent-infant
responsiveness at discharge and 3-months corrected age will be determined as will the moderating effect of
PPP on infant stress exposure throughout hospitalization. The study focuses on modifiable factors that may
disparately affect parents from racially underrepresented groups or those lacking financial and social
resources. By also considering demographic characteristics that may contribute to disparities, the study will
provide data to support the development of NICU interventions to equitably promote PPP, thus improving
outcomes for preterm infants and their families. This proposal addresses the research priority area of the
NICHD’s Pregnancy and Perinatology Branch to advance the science of pre...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10978592
- **Project number:** 1R01HD113525-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** MARLIESE D NIST
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $653,397
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-15 → 2029-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10978592

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10978592, Equity for Parent Presence and Participation in Caregiving in the NICU (1R01HD113525-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-13 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10978592. Licensed CC0.

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