The impact of visiting the Intensive Care Unit on children’s and adolescents’ psychological well-being: A systematic review

• Published in: Intensive & critical care nursing 2021-08, Vol.65, p.103036-103036, Article 103036
• Main Authors: Lamiani, Giulia, Bonazza, Federica, Del Negro, Silvia, Meyer, Elaine C.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescents; Anxiety; Child; Child & adolescent psychiatry; Children & youth; Clinical medicine; Clinical psychology; Critical care; Data collection; Families & family life; Family members; Grief; ICU visitation; Infections; Intensive care; Mental health; Nursing; Patients; Post traumatic stress; Post traumatic stress disorder; Psychological aspects; Psychological trauma; Psychological well being; Qualitative research; Relatives; Research methodology; Stress; Systematic review; Teenagers; Traumatic life events; Well being
• ISSN: 0964-3397; 1532-4036
• DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2021.103036

The visits of children/adolescents in adult intensive care units are increasingly more common. However, few studies examine the psychological impact of visiting. This systematic review aims to summarise the psychological effects that visiting family members has on children/adolescents. A systematic review of research articles published from 1990 to January 2021 was conducted using PsycInfo, PubMed, and CINAHL. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. Those studies included were evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. A narrative synthesis of the results was conducted. Adult intensive care unit. The review identified five studies (three of which qualitative), involving 141 children/adolescents. Although the experience of visiting was potentially traumatic, it enabled children/adolescents to better understand the reality and to preserve their relationships with family members. The impact of visiting was influenced by individual characteristics (e.g., age, past traumatic experiences) and by organisational characteristics (e.g., facilitated visit or not). Regardless of visitation, most children/adolescents presented anxiety and depression symptoms that need to be addressed. Child/adolescent visitation seems to have positive effects, provided there is preparation and facilitation. Clinicians should pay attention to individual characteristics and optimise organisational factors (e.g., environment) in order to minimise potentially trauma-inducing aspects.