RELATIONSHIP OF PERCEIVED STRESS WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN IN MOTHERS OF NEONATES AND INFANTS ADMITTED TO NEONATAL UNITS (Atena Editora)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Prematurity is normally accompanied by long periods of hospitalization of the newborn in the Intensive Care Unit. The mother who had prepared to leave the hospital with her son has this cycle broken and has to go through a difficult and challenging experience. This new context of separation and doubts requires, in most cases, a separation from their family and social context, great responsibility and situations of maternal stress, causing anxiety, panic, anguish, insomnia, interpersonal difficulties, excessive worry, irritability, depression, difficulty relaxing or muscle tension and consequently musculoskeletal pain. OBJECTIVE. To analyze the relationship between stress and musculoskeletal pain in mothers of newborns admitted to neonatal units. METHODOLOGY. Retrospective and quantitative research. Sample collection took place from May to September 2021 in the neonatal units of ``Maternidade Escola Assis Chateaubriand`` – MEAC. The study included 31 mothers of newborns who were characterized using an instrument produced by the researchers and evaluated using instruments for identifying stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and characterizing pain (McGill Pain Questionnaire). RESULTS. The mothers evaluated in the present study had an average age of 27.58 years, were mixed race, had completed high school, lived in their own home, lived in a stable union and had a family income of up to 1 minimum wage. A high perception of stress was found, reflecting pain in body areas such as the lumbar spine, surgical incision, thoracic spine, legs and feet. CONCLUSION. The present study showed that the studied population presented perceived stress, which was related to the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain. The importance of multidisciplinary team action is highlighted to better guide and provide maternal support, in order to prevent or treat bad feelings such as stress, which can cause or intensify musculoskeletal pain.