Stress and coping strategies among family members of patients admitted to the intensive care unit at Princess Marina hospital, Gaborone, Botswana.
Date
2025
Authors
Tshwaphe, Tlhompho
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Zambia
Abstract
Admission of a loved one to the Intensive Care Unit is a profoundly stressful experience for family members. The unpredictable nature of critical illness, the unfamiliar environment, and the potential for adverse outcomes contribute to significant psychological distress. Understanding the stress levels and coping mechanisms employed by family members is crucial for providing appropriate support and improving their overall well-being. This study aimed to assess the levels of stress and the coping strategies utilised by family members of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit at Princess Marina Hospital, Gaborone, Botswana. A descriptive crosssectional study was conducted at the Intensive Care Unit of Princess Marina Hospital. A census sample of 58 family members of Intensive Care Unit patients was recruited. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire comprised of socio-demographic questions, the Perceived Stress Scale to measure stress levels, and the Brief Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory to assess coping strategies. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics to determine the prevalence of different stress levels and coping strategies. Chi-square was used to identify significant predictors of stress. The analysis was conducted at a 95% confidence interval with a significance level of 5%, using SPSS version 27. The study revealed that 79.3% (46/58) of respondents had a high perceived stress level, with a mean PSS score of 28.5 (±7.21). The use of adaptive problem-focused coping strategies was found in 77.6% (45/58) of respondents; while 93.1% (54/58) had adaptive emotion-focused coping strategies, and 79% (46/58) had adaptive avoidant coping strategies. The results showed that only problem-focused coping (p = 0.037) was statistically significantly associated with stress level among respondents, indicating that these factors have an influence on whether
respondents were highly stressed or not. This study highlights the critical need for Intensive Care Unit systems to prioritize family mental health through targeted coping support and systemic reforms. By integrating problem-focused strategies into culturally sensitive care frameworks, healthcare providers in Botswana and similar settings can mitigate the universal stress burden faced by ICU families, fostering resilience in highstakes environments.
Keywords: Intensive Care Unit, Family Stress, Coping Strategies, Botswana, Perceived Stress, Adaptive Coping.
Description
Thesis of Master of Science in Critical Care Nursing.