Purpose: The impact on children who visit an ill sibling in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is unknown. The aim of this study was to describe the experiences of siblings of acutely critically ill or injured children hospitalized in the PICU.
Design and methods: A qualitative approach using one-to-one interviews was conducted to gain an understanding of the experience of 9- to 17-year-old children who visited their siblings in the PICU. Thematic analysis was used to develop a description of the experiences of the siblings.
Findings: Sixteen siblings (mean age, 12.5 years) indicated that visiting their critically ill sister or brother in the PICU can cause negative reactions. The data revealed two major themes within the overall sibling experience-stressors, coping-and nine subthemes. Predominant sibling stressors included pre-illness stressors, the PICU environment, the appearance of the ill child, uncertainty, and parental stress. Siblings coped mainly via distractions, social support, and spirituality and by reflecting on the sibling relationship. Support from friends, family members, and the community was reported to be helpful.
Conclusions: Siblings visiting the PICU may experience a broad range of physical, emotional, and social responses.
Practice implications: Future research should fully incorporate the sibling perspective when designing interventions to mitigate the potentially distressing effects of PICU visitation on the family.
Keywords: Adolescent; Coping behavior; Critical care; Family; Pediatric intensive care unit; Sibling.
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