Associations between uncertainty in illness and coping style about family members of patients with severe sepsis of in intensive care unit

Abstract

Objective To investigate status quo of illness uncertainty and coping style in family members of patients with severe sepsis of in intensive care unit (ICU), to explore their relationships. Methods A total of 117 family members of patients with severe sepsis of in ICU was chosen by convenient sampling. They were surveyed by the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Family version and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire. Results The uncertainty in illness of family members scored 56~139 (102.16±14.73). Positive coping style scored 6~38 (22.68±3.73). Negative coping style scored 4~22 (13.08±4.12). The total score of uncertainty in illness of family members was negatively correlated with the score of positive coping style, and was positively correlated with the score of negative coping style. Conclusions Illness uncertainty level of patients' families interacts with coping styles. Nurse should take corresponding measures to reduce the patient's family illness uncertainty levels, and help them to take positive coping styles. Key words: Intensive care units; Sepsis/PX; Family/PX