Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare family stresses, strengths, and outcomes after motor vehicle crashes (MVC), gunshot wounds (GSW), and coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG). Design: A multivaraite descriptive design based on the Resiliency Model of Family Stress and Adaptation was used. Sample: A convience sample of family members (N=127) participated with two days of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: Family stresses were measured by the Family Inventory of Life Events Scale and the APACHE III. Family strengths were measured by the Family Hardiness Index and the Family Crisis Oriented Personal Evaluation Scale. Family outcomes were measured by the Family Member Well-being Index and the Family Adaptation Scale. Findings: Family members ranged in age from 18-80 years (X=42 years). The majority were female (64%) and had previous ICU experience (83%). Patients ranged in age from 19-78 years (X=44 years). After controlling for group differences in patient age and APACHE III scores and family member age, income, and education; multivariate analysis of variance indicated that family members of patients with trauma and surgery reported no significant differences in family strengths of hardiness and family outcomes of well-being and adaptation. However, family membrs of GSW patients reported significantly more stress (F=4.0, p<.01) and less use of coping strategies (F=4.33, p<.01). Conclusions: Interventions that address family stress and develop or mobilize coping are needed for selected families after admission to ICU.
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