The therapeutic effects of journal writing for parents of PICU patients: A research brief

Abstract

Purpose The admission of a critically ill child to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) is well known to be a stressful experience for parents. The overall aim of this study was to explore whether the use of journal writing would be acceptable and feasible to PICU parents as a stress‐reducing intervention. Design and Methods A longitudinal, quasi‐experimental two‐group study design was conducted with a convenience sample of 28 parents. Experimental group parents were given instructions on how to journal write each day their child was hospitalized, while control group parents received usual care. Data were collected at three evaluation time points. Results The response rates at the final time point (6–8 weeks after discharge) were 93% for the control group and 71% for the experimental group. Outcome measure trends were similar for parents in both groups, with most perceiving mild‐to‐moderate stress from the PICU environment. A significant correlation was found between the perceived stress from the PICU environment and parental traumatic stress symptoms 6–8 weeks postdischarge for the experimental group (Time 1 r = .919, p = .00; Time 2 r = .969, p = .00). The majority of the experimental group parents wrote in their journals daily and found the intervention helpful. Practice Implications Although further research is warranted, journal writing is a simple‐to‐do intervention that should be considered for use with future PICU parents.

Stressful Experiences of Parents in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit: Searching for the Most Intensive PICU Stressors

“…Also, the results of this study may help nurses and other health professionals in assessing the stress level of parents in the PICU, but also in planning concrete strategies and methods for the purpose of preventing and minimizing their stressful experiences. Journal writing and the use of the PICU diary are among most economical, simple, feasible, and effective interventions in reducing psychological stress of parents and the entire family during the hospitalization of the child and alleviation of post-traumatic stress after discharge, since they enable parents to express feelings and concerns and help them to cope with traumatic events [ 49 , 50 ]. Journal writing is very popular among parents, and they themselves suggest such an approach to reducing stress to all parents whose child is hospitalized in the PICU [ 49 ].…”

“…Journal writing and the use of the PICU diary are among most economical, simple, feasible, and effective interventions in reducing psychological stress of parents and the entire family during the hospitalization of the child and alleviation of post-traumatic stress after discharge, since they enable parents to express feelings and concerns and help them to cope with traumatic events [ 49 , 50 ]. Journal writing is very popular among parents, and they themselves suggest such an approach to reducing stress to all parents whose child is hospitalized in the PICU [ 49 ]. A holistic and individualized approach must be part of daily nursing practice and family-centred care in the PICU.…”