Effectiveness of the buddy program for parents of very preterm infants

The buddy program is a culturally-sensitive intervention designed to help parents of very preterm, hospitalized infants cope. It is based on social support theory, and notions of validation of the stressful experience and the value of a shared common experience. In a cohort study with control group comparison, the program was found to be effective with standardized measures of stress, depression and anxiety. Discussions include a focus on practical and clinical significance, and social support theory. Several social work and interdisciplinary practice and research implications are discussed.