Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in China
Objectives To explore the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC), involving both mothers and fathers, on the dynamics of couple relationships.Design Qualitative phenomenological study.Setting A regional comprehensive centre for child healthcare.Participants 11 couples engaged in KMC with their infants...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2025-02-01
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| Series: | BMJ Open |
| Online Access: | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/2/e088636.full |
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| author | Xin Ding Peizhen Chen Chunmei He Jufang Ding Hongqing Guo Wenying Yao Yiying He |
| author_facet | Xin Ding Peizhen Chen Chunmei He Jufang Ding Hongqing Guo Wenying Yao Yiying He |
| author_sort | Xin Ding |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Objectives To explore the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC), involving both mothers and fathers, on the dynamics of couple relationships.Design Qualitative phenomenological study.Setting A regional comprehensive centre for child healthcare.Participants 11 couples engaged in KMC with their infants. We created a semistructured interview guide to conduct face-to-face interviews separately with both wives and husbands. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis technique.Results Analysis of participants’ narratives revealed three pivotal themes: ‘strengthening of couple relationship’, ‘role adaptation and redefinition’ and ‘conflicts and resolution’. These themes collectively illustrated the complex interplay between enhanced emotional intimacy, renegotiated parental roles and the navigation of conflicts within the context of neonatal caregiving.Conclusions KMC may have effects on couple relationships beyond its immediate benefits for the infant. It may potentially influence the emotional and relational dynamics between partners. Couples' experiences with KMC practices are multifaceted and complex. Through the intimate act of KMC, couples may experience a deepening of emotional bonds, redefinition of roles and identities, and encounter both challenges and opportunities for conflict resolution. Adopting a more holistic approach to neonatal care including attention to the couple’s relationship and engaging in KMC is suggested. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b5f6800d869e43ab9248cc024fbe724b |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2044-6055 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-b5f6800d869e43ab9248cc024fbe724b2025-08-20T01:47:33ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Open2044-60552025-02-0115210.1136/bmjopen-2024-088636Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in ChinaXin Ding0Peizhen Chen1Chunmei He2Jufang Ding3Hongqing Guo4Wenying Yao5Yiying He6Department of Quality Management, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People`s Republic of ChinaNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children`s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People`s Republic of ChinaNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children`s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People`s Republic of ChinaNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children`s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People`s Republic of ChinaNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children`s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People`s Republic of ChinaNursing Department, Children’s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People`s Republic of ChinaNeonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children`s Hospital of Soochow University, Suzhou, Jiangsu, People`s Republic of ChinaObjectives To explore the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC), involving both mothers and fathers, on the dynamics of couple relationships.Design Qualitative phenomenological study.Setting A regional comprehensive centre for child healthcare.Participants 11 couples engaged in KMC with their infants. We created a semistructured interview guide to conduct face-to-face interviews separately with both wives and husbands. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim, and analysed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis technique.Results Analysis of participants’ narratives revealed three pivotal themes: ‘strengthening of couple relationship’, ‘role adaptation and redefinition’ and ‘conflicts and resolution’. These themes collectively illustrated the complex interplay between enhanced emotional intimacy, renegotiated parental roles and the navigation of conflicts within the context of neonatal caregiving.Conclusions KMC may have effects on couple relationships beyond its immediate benefits for the infant. It may potentially influence the emotional and relational dynamics between partners. Couples' experiences with KMC practices are multifaceted and complex. Through the intimate act of KMC, couples may experience a deepening of emotional bonds, redefinition of roles and identities, and encounter both challenges and opportunities for conflict resolution. Adopting a more holistic approach to neonatal care including attention to the couple’s relationship and engaging in KMC is suggested.https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/2/e088636.full |
| spellingShingle | Xin Ding Peizhen Chen Chunmei He Jufang Ding Hongqing Guo Wenying Yao Yiying He Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in China BMJ Open |
| title | Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in China |
| title_full | Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in China |
| title_fullStr | Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in China |
| title_short | Beyond the embrace: a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care (KMC) on couple relationships in China |
| title_sort | beyond the embrace a phenomenological qualitative exploration of the impact of kangaroo mother care kmc on couple relationships in china |
| url | https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/15/2/e088636.full |
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