Perceived Changes in Adult Family Members' Roles and Responsibilities During Critical Illness |
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| Authors: | Susan K Johnson Martha Craft Marita Titler Margo Halm Charmaine Kleiber Lou Ann Montgomery Karen Megivern Anita Nicholson Kathleen Buckwalter |
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| Institution: | Susan K. Johnson, RN, MA, CCRN, Gamma, is Clinical Nurse Specialist at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa.;Martha Craft, RN, PhD, FAAN, Gamma, is Associate Professor, University of Iowa College of Nursing.;Marita Titler, RN, PhD, Gamma, is Associate Director of Nursing Research, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.;Margo Halm, RN, MA, CCRN, Gamma, is Clinical Nurse Specialist, St. Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri.;Charmaine Kleiber, RN, MS, CPNP, Gamma, is Clinical Nurse Specialist II, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.;Lou Ann Montgomery, RN, MA, Gamma, is Clinical Nurse Specialist I, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.;Karen Megivern, RN, MA, CCRN, Gamma, is Clinical Nurse Specialist I, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.;Anita Nicholson, RN, MA, Gamma, is Lecturer, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.;Kathleen Buckwalter, RN, PhD, FAAN, Gamma, is Professor, University of Iowa College of Nursing and Associate Director of Nursing Research, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Funding for this study was received from Gamma chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. The authors wish to acknowledge Dr. Toni Tripp-Reimer for her assistance with data analysis. |
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| Abstract: | An exploratory design was used to study the effects of critical care hospitalization on family roles and responsibilities of adult family members and how these effects changed over time. A convenience sample of 52 subjects from pediatric, neonatal, surgical, medical, and cardiovascular intensive care units was used. Data were collected using an open-ended question contained in the Iowa ICU Family Scale (IIFS). Using qualitative techniques, seven themes were identified: (a) Pulling together, (b) Fragmentation of families, (c) Increased dependence, (d) Increased independence, (e) Increased responsibilities, (f) Change in routine, and (g) Change in feelings. These findings indicate that nurses need to implement family-centered interventions such as role supplementation programs or identification of support systems to decrease role strain and role overload in families during a crisis. |
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| Keywords: | family role critical care |
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