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

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Abstract

Objective

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

Method

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.

Results

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.

Conclusion

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.

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Author notes

  1. Vaibhava Upadhyay

    Present address: IAP fellowship, Pediatric intensive care unit (IDPCCM), Pramukhswami Medical College, Karamsad, Gujarat, India

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pediatrics, Holy Family Hospital, New Delhi, India

    Vaibhava Upadhyay & Yogesh Parashar

  2. G-14, Keshav Nagar, Sawai Madhopur, Rajasthan, 322001, India

    Vaibhava Upadhyay

Authors
  1. Vaibhava Upadhyay
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  2. Yogesh Parashar
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Contributions

VU applied the scale and questionnaire, contributed to the concept of the paper, and wrote the draft of the manuscript; YP conceived the manuscript and gave critical intellectual inputs and final approval to the manuscript. This manuscript has been read and approved by both the authors and each author believes that the manuscript represents honest work. YP will act as the guarantor for this paper.

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Correspondence to Vaibhava Upadhyay.

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Upadhyay, V., Parashar, Y. A Study of Parental Stressors, Financial Issues as Stress Factor, and the Coping Strategies in the PICU. Indian J Pediatr 89, 563–569 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-021-04003-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-021-04003-0

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