PSYCHOLOGIST INTERVENTIONS IN THE NEONATAL ICU: INTERACTION BETWEEN MOTHER AND BABY IN CONDITIONS OF PREMATURITY

Abstract

Prematurity, the condition of the baby born before 37 weeks of gestation, is considered a risk factor for problems in the psychic development of the baby, who is usually indicated for hospitalization in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). In this environment, psychology is concerned with the psychic constitution of this baby. In order to analyze the psychologist's interventions with mothers and babies in the NICU, a qualitative study was carried out, through an action research, with nine mothers with premature babies hospitalized in the NICU of the Assis Chateaubriand Maternity School (MEAC). The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of MEAC, under opinion No. 6,028,807. The interaction between mothers and their babies was perceived and stimulated, who enchanted and were enchanted as active agents of interaction. Thus, the psychologist in the NICU has an important role, since he can provide well-being, learning and protection to the psychic health of babies and their mothers.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2025.013-001