Analysis of Stress and Coping in Relatives of Patients Admitted to the ICU

Abstract

Admissions in ICUs are potentially adverse events that present significant challenges to the patients's relatives. This study aimed to describe the stressful events and coping strategies adopted by relatives of patients admitted to the ICU. In total, 35 individuals participated and answered a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Environmental Stressor Questionnaire (ESQ), and the brief inventory of coping (Brief-COPE), and 10 were interviewed. Results showed that the most stressful events include difficulties in communication with the team, and coping focused on problem and emotion were the most used. The data showed associations between ESQ scores and coping strategies. Among the participants, two groups were found, a cluster of individuals with more adaptive strategies and another cluster with less beneficial behaviors, which differed in terms of the coping and content presented in the interviews. Relatives indicated religiosity, patience, and resignation as more adaptative coping strategies.