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Navigating Uncertainty: Family Experiences and Coping Strategies During Critical Care Hospitalisation: A Descriptive
Melissa Riegel1, Monica Rückholdt2, Sue Randall1
1University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
Nursing in Critical Care
|October 8, 2025
Summary
Family members experience significant stress during critical care admissions. Effective communication and support are crucial for managing their anxiety and improving outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Critical care medicine
- Psychology
- Healthcare communication
Background:
- Family members of patients in adult intensive or coronary care units experience significant psychological stress.
- Understanding family stressors and coping mechanisms is vital for developing effective support interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the experiences and challenges of family members after unplanned critical care admissions.
- To identify coping strategies used by these family members.
Main Methods:
- Descriptive qualitative design.
- Inductive reflexive thematic analysis.
- Purposeful sample of 27 participants with loved ones in critical care.
Main Results:
- Four key themes emerged: coping with unknowns, communication's role in crisis, challenges of supporting a loved one, and redefining normal.
- Uncertainty and lack of updates exacerbated family anxiety and isolation.
- Effective communication was identified as critical for family well-being.
Conclusions:
- Unplanned critical care admissions cause substantial psychological stress for families.
- Enhanced communication and support strategies by healthcare professionals are essential.
- Improving family support positively impacts patient and family outcomes.
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