The effect of a family participation program on anxiety among family members of patients with abdominal trauma after the critical phase in the Trauma Intensive Care Unit
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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Patients with abdominal trauma often experience critical conditions that affect their families emotionally and psychosocially. Even after patients have recovered from the critical phase, family members may continue to experience anxiety regarding recovery and ongoing care. Promoting family participation is therefore an important approach to supporting family-centered care and reducing anxiety during the post-critical phase.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of a family participation program on anxiety levels among family members of patients with abdominal trauma after the critical phase.
METHODS: This quasi-experimental two-group pretest–posttest study included 66 family members of patients with abdominal trauma, with 33 participants in each group. The experimental group received a family participation program, while the control group received routine nursing care. Anxiety levels were assessed using the State Anxiety Inventory Form X-I before the intervention and before transfer from the intensive care unit. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and the Mann–Whitney U test.
RESULTS: Prior to the intervention, anxiety levels did not differ significantly between the groups (p=0.550). Following the intervention, the experimental group showed a significant reduction in anxiety, with the median score decreasing from 57 (IQR 4.5) to 52 (IQR 5.5) (p<0.001), whereas no significant change was observed in the control group (p=1.000). Post-intervention, anxiety levels were significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group (mean rank 26.8 vs. 40.2, U=325, p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The family participation program effectively reduced anxiety among family members of patients with abdominal trauma. Implementation of this program should be promoted in trauma and other intensive care units to enhance family confidence and alleviate anxiety.
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