Paper
Wednesday, July 21, 2004
Predictors of Negative Outcomes in Critically Ill Children and Parents
Holly Brown, RN-C, MSN, NPP, Center for High-Risk Children and Youth, Center for High-Risk Children and Youth, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Rochester, NY, USA
Hospitalization of a critically ill child is stressful for children as well as their parents and can have significant negative implications on the coping abilities of all involved. Children who have experienced intensive care admissions for greater than seven days may demonstrate emotional, behavioral, and academic difficulties as many as 10 years following hospitalization. Maladaptive coping can result in anxiety disorders, including posttraumatic stress disorder, mood disorders specifically, depressive disorders, and disruptive behavioral disorders (e.g. attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder or oppositional defiant disorder). These symptoms can further disrupt healthy emotional development and result in engagement of high-risk behaviors. In spite of the known negative outcomes of unplanned hospitalization, there are some children and families who do not experience these long-term adverse effects. The purpose of this presentation is provide a synthesis of the literature to identify predictors of negative emotional and coping adjustment in critically ill children and their parents in an effort to better understand those factors that influence outcomes in this high risk population. Knowledge of the predictors of poor outcomes is important so that early interventions can be implemented to prevent negative sequelae and promote effective coping with childhood critical illness. Implications for clinical practice will be highlighted.
Back to Special Session: Improving the Psychosocial Care and Mental Health/Coping Outcomes of Critically Ill Children and Parents: Evidence to Guide Practice
Back to Evidence-Based Nursing: Strategies for Improving Practice
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 21, 2004