A Study of Parental Stressors, Financial Issues as Stress Factor, and the Coping Strategies in the PICU

To evaluate the stressors in parents of critically ill children admitted in PICU and the coping strategies used by them.

Parents of children admitted to the PICU (at least 48 h) were administered Modified PSS: PICU scale (total 8 subscales, 42 items) and coping questionnaire (8 questions). A total score (Modified PSS: PICU score) and subscales mean scores were used to describe the stressors. The questionnaire was verbally administered to either one of the parents, in English or Hindi. The responses were assessed and analyzed.

Either of the parents (age 20 to 50 y, 29 mothers) of 102 children responded. The Modified Parental Stress Scale: PICU (PSS: PICU) score was 44 (± 11.2). Parental stress was related to severity of illness (p < 0.001). Procedures done on their child and the appearance of the child were most stressful. Fathers were more stressed about the procedures compared to mothers (p = 0.004). Middle-class parents were more stressed about financial issues compared to upper and lower socioeconomic class in response to the open-ended question. The most used coping strategies were "Trust in your God" (99%), "Communication with doctors and nurses" (97.1%), and "Sharing feelings with spouse" (94.1%). Mothers found sharing feelings with the spouse more helpful.

Parents of critically ill children are very stressed. Middle-class parents should also be taken care of in financial aspects. More attention should be given to the parents of children with severe illness. Parents should be communicated frequently. Encouraging faith in God and good communication can be helpful.