Related Experiment Videos
Parental uncertainty in critical care hospitalization of children
Insights
Parents experience uncertainty in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) due to environmental, illness, caregiver, and family system factors. Understanding these dimensions can improve pediatric nursing care.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Qualitative Research
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Parental uncertainty is a significant stressor for families with critically ill children.
- Existing research highlights the emotional impact of pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions.
- A deeper understanding of uncertainty's dimensions in the PICU context is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the multifaceted nature of uncertainty experienced by parents of children in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
- To identify the sources, family impact, and parental responses related to PICU uncertainty.
- To develop a model of uncertainty specific to the PICU environment.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative study employing a modified grounded theory approach.
- Interviews conducted with 13 parents of 8 critically ill children within 2-4 days of PICU admission.
- Data analysis focused on identifying themes related to uncertainty.
Main Results:
- A model of PICU uncertainty was developed, identifying four key areas: environmental, illness, caregiver, and family systems uncertainty.
- Ambiguity, conflicting information, and perceived inefficiency were identified as primary drivers of uncertainty.
- Parental responses and family effects were integral to the uncertainty experience.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a comprehensive model of parental uncertainty in the PICU.
- Findings align with and extend Mishel's Theory of Uncertainty (1987).
- Implications for pediatric nursing practice and future research are discussed, emphasizing the need for clear communication and support.
Abstract:
The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the dimensions of uncertainty, including the source, family effect, and parental response, of parents whose child was hospitalized in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU). A convenience sample of 13 parents of 8 critically ill children served as subjects for this study. Data were collected using a modified grounded theory method with 1 to 1-1/2 hour interviews of parents within 2-4 days after admission of their child to the PICU. A model of PICU uncertainty was derived which identified four areas in which ambiguity, conflicting information, or perceived inefficiency gave rise to uncertainty. These areas included: environmental uncertainty, illness uncertainty, caregiver uncertainty, and family systems uncertainty. Findings are related to Mishel's Theory of Uncertainty (1987) and implications for pediatric nursing research are discussed.