Objective
To describe the coping strategies used by the relatives of patients hospitalized in
an intensive care unit.
Methods
This is a descriptive study that uses a convenience sample and both qualitative and
quantitative methods. The study was conducted at a tertiary university hospital in
Brazil. Participants included 41 relatives who were selected during the first 96 hours
of patient hospitalization in the intensive care unit.
Results
The participants reported that they more frequently used Coping Strategies Based on
the Stressor, followed by Religiosity/Fantasy Thinking and Seeking for Social Support.
There was a statistically significant relationship (P < .01) between the use of the strategy Seeking for Social Support and elevated Acute
Physiology, Age, and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores. Qualitative analysis allowed
a clearer understanding of the relation between the patient's condition and changes
in the coping strategies used by the patient's relatives.
Conclusion
This study describes the coping strategies used by patients' relatives during the
early hospitalization period. This investigation allowed for a better understanding
of the relatives' psychologic aspects and their relation with the patient's clinical
condition. The results shall assist the design of specific interventions directed
at facilitating positive coping responses on the part of relatives.
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 26, 2008
Identification
Copyright
© 2009 Mosby, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
