Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 9, 2026

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment
08:25

Polar Histogram Visualization of Acute Stress Disorder Scale Scores for Comprehensive Clinical Assessment

Published on: December 6, 2024

825

Acute Stress and Need for Psychological Follow-Up Care in Parents of Children Treated at the Paediatric Intensive

Emilie Rössler1, Katherina Wicklein2, Teresa Deffner3

  • 1Institute of Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy and Psychooncology, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Germany.

Nursing in Critical Care
|December 2, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Parents of children in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs) experience high rates of acute stress disorder (ASD) and need psychological support. Distress is linked to PTSD risk, highlighting the need for integrated psychosocial care.

Area of Science:

  • Psychiatry
  • Psychology
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission is highly stressful for parents.
  • This stress can trigger acute stress disorder (ASD), increasing risks for long-term post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
  • Structured psychological follow-up care for parents is often lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine acute stress, post-traumatic adjustment, and the need for psychological follow-up care in parents of PICU patients.
  • To identify variables associated with ASD symptoms and the need for follow-up care.
  • To explore dyadic associations between mothers' and fathers' psychological distress.

Main Methods:

  • An observational study was conducted in a German University Hospital PICU.
  • Parents completed standardized self-report instruments, including the Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS) and Post-traumatic Adjustment Scale (PAS).
  • Logistic regression and correlation analyses were used to identify predictors and dyadic associations.

Main Results:

  • Nearly two-thirds of parents met ASD criteria, with mothers reporting higher symptom severity.
  • Forty-two percent screened positive for PTSD risk, and 68% for depression risk.
  • One-third expressed a need for psychological follow-up care, strongly associated with PTSD risk (OR=8.42). ASD symptoms were correlated between parents (r=0.42).

Conclusions:

  • Parents of PICU patients exhibit high rates of acute stress and are at significant risk for subsequent psychopathology.
  • The need for psychological support is closely linked to PTSD risk, and parental distress is dyadic.
  • Routine psychosocial screening and structured follow-up care, including family-centered interventions, should be integrated into PICU services to mitigate long-term psychological consequences.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents06:15

A Modified Trier Social Stress Test for Vulnerable Mexican American Adolescents

Published on: July 10, 2017

13.4K
Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit11:50

Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Published on: January 7, 2020

27.5K

Related Concept Videos

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care01:28

Acute Coronary Syndrome IV: Interprofessional Care

IntroductionThe management of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) aims to minimize myocardial damage, preserve myocardial function, and prevent complications.Initial ManagementInpatient management involves continuous cardiac monitoring, preferably in an ICU, focusing on blood pressure, serum sodium, potassium, and creatinine levels, and urine output. Ongoing pharmacologic management is crucial for stabilizing the patient.Supplemental Oxygen: Administer supplemental oxygen if oxygen saturation is...
200
Psychological Responses to Stress01:20

Psychological Responses to Stress

Psychological responses to stress encompass the various cognitive and emotional reactions individuals experience when faced with challenging or threatening situations, such as a job loss. Prolonged exposure to stressors can disturb emotional balance, increasing negative emotions (e.g., anxiety and sadness) and diminishing positive emotions (e.g., joy and satisfaction). These persistent emotional shifts are associated with an increased risk of both physical illness and mental health issues, such...
459
Relationship with Parents: Attachment01:28

Relationship with Parents: Attachment

Parent-child interactions lay the foundation for how we understand relationships throughout life. These interactions are not uniform across families; instead, they are shaped by a range of environmental, emotional, and behavioral factors unique to each caregiver-child dynamic. Social psychologists study these early relationships to understand how patterns formed in infancy influence social functioning and interpersonal behavior in adulthood.Attachment Theory and Early Relational ModelsJohn...
214
Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management01:16

Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management

Postoperative Nursing Management for Kidney Transplant PatientsPostoperative nursing management care includes monitoring the surgical site, encouraging early movement, and promoting lung health through breathing exercises. Nurses also administer prescribed medications like H2-blockers, such as famotidine, or proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, to help prevent gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. Fungal infections in the mouth and bladder can result from immunosuppressive and antibiotic...
294
Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle01:27

Introduction to Stress and Lifestyle

Stress is a multifaceted response to events perceived as challenging or threatening, highlighting physical, emotional, cognitive, and behavioral reactions. Physically, stress can lead to fatigue, sleep disruptions, and various health issues such as frequent colds, chest pains, and nausea. Emotionally, it can manifest as anxiety, depression, irritability, and anger triggered by both minor and major life events. Cognitively, it may result in difficulty in concentration, memory, and...
496
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder01:27

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a psychiatric condition that arises following exposure to traumatic events such as natural disasters, forced displacement, or severe accidents. It significantly impairs individuals' ability to cope with daily activities and disrupts their emotional and psychological equilibrium.
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
448