Perceived stress levels and coping strategies of immediate family caregivers of hospitalised patients in the intensive care unit of the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

Abstract

Illness of a family member causes a perplexing feeling in the family, especially when a family member is admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Immediate Family Caregivers (IFCs) of these patients tend to experience higher levels of stress. However, not much is known about the stress levels, stressors and coping strategies of IFCs in Ghana. This study sought to investigate the perceived stress levels and coping strategies of IFCs of hospitalised patients in the ICU and to examine the effect of stressors on perceived stress levels. The study employed a cross-sectional design and total population sampling method to select 301 IFCs of ICU patients as respondents. A questionnaire was used to collect the data and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 22.0. The statistical tests used were means, standard deviations, factor analysis, multiple regression and moderation analysis. The results indicated that the majority of IFCs of ICU patients had moderate perceived stress levels. The main stressors were staff communication, alteration in caregiver’s role and patients’ emotional responses. Frequently used coping strategies were social seeking support, positive reappraisal and accepting responsibility. The study, however, revealed that these coping strategies were not effective in resolving the perceived stress levels among the IFCs. The results showed that stressors affect perceived stress levels. Also, coping strategies interact with stressors to affect perceived stress levels. Confrontive coping strategy was found to be the most effective coping strategy. It is, therefore, important for health care professionals to take the responsibility of educating and caring for the IFCs as well.