The Effect of Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment Program on Parent’s Mental Health: A Systematic Review

Context: Premature birth and the consequent neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission cause parents great distress, which makes them in need of support when their infant is hospitalized at the NICU.
Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the impact of creating opportunities for parent empowerment (COPE) program on parents’ mental health. This review emphasizes on mental disorders’ prevention.
Data Sources: This systematic review was performed by searching the databases including Cochrane Library, PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Proquest, Science Direct, SID, Magiran and Iranmedex databases for interventional papers from 2000 to 2015.
Study Selection: The studies, which were considered for this review included, randomized controlled clinical trials and quasi-experimental studies on the impact of COPE program on the mental health of premature infants’ parents.
Data Extraction: For determination of eligible studies, two authors extracted the data independently and discrepancies were resolved through discussion or, if required, through consultation with a third author.
Results: Only four studies conducted on the impact of COPE program on parents’ mental health were included in this systematic review. According to these studies, the implementation of COPE program for the parents of premature infants hospitalized at the NICU decreased stress significantly after the second phase of the COPE program (-1.72 (95% CI: -1.97, -1.47)) and state anxiety after first phase of program (-1.01 (95% CI: -1.48, -0.53)) in mothers.
Conclusions: The studies suggested the positive impact of COPE programs on parents’ mental health; however, more studies are recommended on all aspects of mental health along with further involvement of fathers.