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The COPE program: a strategy to improve outcomes of critically ill young children and their parents

B M Melnyk1, L J Alpert-Gillis

  • 1University of Rochester School of Nursing, NY 14642, USA. bmel@son.rochester.edu

Pediatric Nursing
|March 23, 1999
PubMed

Insights

Hospitalization for critically ill children causes significant stress for families. Understanding these stressors and implementing early interventions like the COPE program can improve coping outcomes for children and parents.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Family psychology
  • Nursing science

Background:

  • Hospitalization of critically ill children presents numerous stressors for both the child and their parents.
  • These stressors can lead to short- and long-term negative psychological and emotional outcomes for the family unit.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To discuss the multifaceted effects of pediatric critical illness on young children and their parents.
  • To identify primary sources of stress experienced by families during a child's intensive care unit (ICU) stay.
  • To outline factors that influence family adjustment and coping outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of existing research on family stress in pediatric critical care.
  • Description of the newly developed COPE (Coping Optimization Promotion and Education) program.
  • Identification of key variables affecting family coping.

Main Results:

  • Pediatric critical illness significantly impacts family dynamics and parental well-being.
  • Common stressors include the child's condition, separation from the child, and uncertainty about the future.
  • Factors such as social support, previous coping experiences, and access to information influence adjustment.

Conclusions:

  • Nurses require comprehensive knowledge of family stressors and coping factors to provide effective care.
  • Early intervention programs, such as the COPE program, are crucial for mitigating negative outcomes.
  • Implementing targeted strategies can enhance family coping and resilience during and after pediatric critical illness.

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