Use of Coping Strategies and Spirituality by Relatives of Critical Patients

Resumen

The stay of a loved one in the Intensive Care Unit often has a major impact on the family. During such stressful event, individuals use psychological adaptations such us coping strategies and spirituality. The main goal was to analyse the differences depending on these two variables on anxiety and relatives’ needs. The study involved 70 relatives of adult ICU patients (20 men, 50 women). The ages ranged from 19 to 75 years (M = 38.46, SD = 12.14). Once controlled the effect of age, gender and hospital, the ANOVA’s showed that participants high in the use of problem-focused cognitive coping considered more covered their needs of information and emotional support. Moreover, these participants experienced less anxiety than those with low levels. High in cognitive escape also showed less levels of anxiety compared to low in cognitive escape. Descriptive analysis showed that problem-focus strategies were more used that avoidance ones. With regard to spirituality, the need to believe in something was the factor with higher scores. These results represent another step to a humanized and individualized assistance.