ABSTRACT 194

Abstract

Background and aims: Childhood critical illness can have significant psychological repercussions. We developed the Children’s Critical Illness Impact Scale, a 23-item written self-report instrument to measure psychological distress in school-aged children post-pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) hospitalization. We subsequently developed the Young Children’s Critical Illness Impact Scale (Y-CCIIS), an illustrated version of the instrument for children aged 5 to 9 years. Aims: This study aimed to examine the psychometric propertied of the Y-CCIIS. Methods: Children (n=100) were recruited at PICU discharge from 4 Canadian hospitals, following ethics board approval. They completed the Y-CCIIS 2 months post-discharge, and again 2 weeks later to establish test-retest reliability. Convergent validation was established by administering the Revised Children’s Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS) at 2 months. Factor analysis was conducted to examine the underlying structure of the Y-CCIIS. 44 children completed the Y-CCIIS 2 months post-ENT day surgery to establish construct validation. Results: Y-CCIIS means scores were significantly higher in the PICU group (t(142)=3.421, p=.001). Factor analysis supported a 3 factor solution: worries about getting sick/not getting better; feeling things have changed (externally & internally); feeling anxious and fearful when thinking about hospital. PICU children scored significantly higher than ENT children on all factors. The Y-CCIIS demonstrated good internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha=0.78), and test-retest reliability (Intraclass Correlation Coefficient=0.72). Convergent validation was supported by a moderate correlation between Y-CCIIS and RCMAS scores (Pearson’s correlation coefficient=0.54). Conclusions: Psychometrically sound instruments are essential to identify children requiring psychological support services post-PICU hospitalization. The Y-CCIIS is a promising self-report measure for young children.