Post-traumatic stress symptoms in family caregivers of intensive care unit patients: A longitudinal study

Hanne Birgit Alfheim; Kristin Hofsø; Milada Cvancarova Småstuen; Kirsti Tøien; Leiv Arne Rosseland; Tone Rustøen

doi:10.1016/j.iccn.2018.05.007

Post-traumatic stress symptoms in family caregivers of intensive care unit patients: A longitudinal study

Intensive Crit Care Nurs. 2019 Feb:50:5-10. doi: 10.1016/j.iccn.2018.05.007. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Authors

Hanne Birgit Alfheim¹, Kristin Hofsø², Milada Cvancarova Småstuen³, Kirsti Tøien⁴, Leiv Arne Rosseland⁵, Tone Rustøen⁶

Affiliations

¹ Postoperative and Intensive Care and Department, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1078 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: halfheim@ous-hf.no.
² Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Lovisenberg Diaconal University College, Lovisenberggt. 15b, 0456 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: Kristin.Hofso@ldh.no.
³ Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Department of Public Health, Faculty of Nursing Science, Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Sciences, P.O. Box 4 St. Olavs plass, N-0130 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: Milada-Cvancarova.Smastuen@hioa.no.
⁴ Postoperative and Intensive Care and Department, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: Kirsti.toien@ous-hf.no.
⁵ Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1078 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: l.a.rosseland@medisin.uio.no.
⁶ Department of Research and Development, Division of Emergencies and Critical Care, Oslo University Hospital, P.O. Box 4950 Nydalen, N-0424 Oslo, Norway; Department of Nursing Science, Institute of Health and Society, Faculty of Medicine, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 1078 Blindern, NO-0316 Oslo, Norway. Electronic address: tone.rustoen@medisin.uio.no.

PMID: 29937075
DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2018.05.007

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the prevalence and trajectory of family caregivers' post-traumatic stress symptoms during the first year after a patient's admission to the intensive care unit and identify associations between family caregivers' background characteristics, hope and post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Research methodology/designs: Family caregivers of intensive care unit patients (n = 211) completed questionnaires at patient admission to the intensive care unit and thereafter at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Mixed-model analyses were performed.

Setting: Four intensive care units in a university hospital in Norway.

Main outcome measures: Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Herth Hope Index.

Results: On admission, 54% of family caregivers reported high post-traumatic stress symptom levels, which decreased during the first six months after patient discharge. Lower levels of hope, being younger, having more comorbidities and being on sick leave were associated with higher post-traumatic stress symptom levels. Being the parent of the patient was associated with decreased post-traumatic stress symptom levels.

Conclusions: Family caregivers of intensive care unit patients report high levels of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Higher levels of hope were associated with fewer post-traumatic stress symptoms.

Keywords: Family caregiver; Hope; Intensive care; Post-traumatic stress symptoms.

MeSH terms

Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Caregivers / psychology*
Caregivers / statistics & numerical data
Female
Humans
Intensive Care Units / organization & administration
Intensive Care Units / standards
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Middle Aged
Norway / epidemiology
Prevalence
Psychometrics / instrumentation
Psychometrics / methods
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / epidemiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / etiology*
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires