Support services and peer support for parents of at-risk infants: An international perspective

An international survey was done on support services and peer self-help for families with infants in neonatal intensive care. In the survey, there wer e 19 respondents from 11 countries. Comparisons were made between this surv ey and 2 done in the United States. The number of support services provided for each hospital was not related to economic indicators. Parents' involve ment in infant care was higher in countries with lower gross national produ ct and higher infant mortality rate. Hospitals having a self-help organizat ion indicated higher parental involvement in care. Hospitals with parent-pr ofessional collaboration had more support services, self-help activities, a nd stability and longevity of groups. The survey pointed to a widespread ef fort to provide support services that appeared to cross geographic and econ omic boundaries.