Abstract

Infant death is a profoundly traumatic event for parents, often resulting in complex emotional and psychological distress. Providing psychosocial care to these parents is crucial, as it can support them through grief and help mitigate adverse mental health effects. This study assesses the attitudes, practices, and barriers faced by student nurses in providing psychosocial care to parents experiencing infant loss at the Buea Regional Hospital in Cameroon. The research aims to understand student nurses’ perspectives on the importance of psychosocial support, the extent to which they engage in such care, and the factors that inhibit their ability to offer effective support in these situations.

A cross-sectional study design is adopted, with  student nurses participating from the Buea Regional Hospital’s nursing program. Data is collected using structured questionnaires that cover various aspects, including student nurses’ attitudes toward psychosocial care, their current practices when encountering bereaved parents, and the perceived obstacles they encounter. Descriptive and inferential statistics are employed to analyze responses, with a focus on correlations between nurses’ attitudes and their willingness to provide care, as well as the effect of identified barriers on their practice.

Preliminary findings indicate that while most student nurses recognize the importance of psychosocial support for bereaved parents, less than half report consistently providing such care. Attitudes toward psychosocial care are generally positive, with over 70% of respondents expressing a belief in its significance for parental well-being. However, significant barriers impede their practices, including limited training in grief counseling, lack of institutional guidelines on psychosocial support, time constraints, and emotional discomfort in addressing grief. Additionally, cultural beliefs and stigma surrounding death in the healthcare setting contribute to hesitancy among student nurses, further affecting their ability to provide comprehensive care.

The study concludes that while student nurses exhibit a positive attitude toward psychosocial care, multiple barriers hinder their effective engagement with bereaved parents. Recommendations include integrating grief counseling and psychosocial support training into nursing curricula, implementing clear guidelines and support frameworks within healthcare facilities, and fostering a culture of compassionate care for bereaved parents. Addressing these barriers can enhance the readiness and capability of future nurses to provide empathetic, culturally sensitive care, ultimately supporting parents during one of the most challenging periods of their lives.

Keywords: Student nurses, psychosocial care, infant death, bereavement, attitudes, barriers, Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon.