Father stress during a child's critical care hospitalization

Abstract

Introduction: There is a dearth of research on the experiences of fathers with critically ill children. The specific aim of this study was to examine stress and specific stress symptoms of fathers with a child in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) and compare their stress and stress symptoms with those of fathers with a child in a general care unit (GCU).

Method: In this descriptive, comparative study, fathers were recruited from a large Midwestern children's hospital within 24 hours of their child's admission. The sample included 15 PICU and 10 GCU fathers who completed the Parental Stressor Scale: PICU and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised.

Results: PICU fathers perceived significantly greater stress than did GCU fathers from the sights and sounds of the unit and by procedures their child underwent. PICU fathers also reported greater frequencies of stress symptoms, such as headache, low energy, annoyance, and worrying.

Discussion: Advanced practice and staff nurses should know how fathers of critically ill children feel and what stresses them so they can provide interventions specific for fathers during this stressful time.