Tímarit hjúkrunarfræðinga - 2022, Page 85

The literature shows variations in how parents of a
child admitted to the intensive care (ICU) manage to
process feelings in connection with an admission.
This study aimed to assess the impact of intensive
care of a child on the mental and physical well-
being of parents in Iceland.
A prospective cohort design was used that
assessed the stress and well-being of parents of
children hospitalized more than 48 hours in the
ICU’s of Landspitali during the period January
2017 to May 2019. Questionnaires used were
SCL-90 (Symptom checklist), PSS:PICU (Parental
stressor scale: Pediatric intensive care unit), PCL-5
(The posttraumatic stress disorder checklist),
questions about the background of the parents and
assessment of the severity of a child’s illness using
PRISM (Pediatric Risk of Mortality).
The results show that parents of children in need
of intensive care generally experience more mental
and physical symptoms than a comparable national
sample of parents in Iceland. The results give nurses
and other health professionals a clearer idea of
what stressors cause parents distress symptoms.
Aim
Results
ENGLISH SUMMARY
The impact on well-being of parents when a
child is hospitalized in an intensive care unit
– a prospective cohort study at Landspitali,
The National University Hospital of Iceland
in the years 2017 to 2019.
Method
Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), parental stress,
post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Correspondent:
hennybjork@hi.is
Conclusion
Keywords
The impact on well-being of parents when a child is hospitalized in an intensive care unit
Birgisdottir, H.B., Gisladottir, S.A., Kristjansdottir, G.
A total of 29 (60.4%) parents participated.
Depression and physical discomfort (SCL-90) were
the most common forms of distress in parents.
Mothers had significantly more symptoms of
physical distress. No difference was between
genders in mental symptoms. The number of
children and employment affected parent’s well-
being, but education had the least effect. The mean
score of symptoms of PTSD (PCL-5) was 22.93 points
(0-66 points). A quarter (25%) had > 33 scores with
no difference between genders. Higher mental and/
or physical distress were significantly related to
symptoms of PTSD. The child’s appearance and
behavior, as well as communication with staff,
affected the parents’ well-being, as well as the
parents’ overall experience of stressors in the ICU.
The probability of symptoms of discomfort and
PTSD was significantly related to higher PRISM
score.