Effect of attachment styles of individuals discharged from an intensive care unit on intensive care experience

Abstract

IntroductionThe present study was conducted as a cross-sectional type to examine the effect of attachment styles of individuals discharged from an intensive care unit (ICU) on intensive care experience and health status. MethodsThe population of the study included patients discharged from the ICU in a university hospital. The sample included 108 patients who were selected via simple random sampling method. Data were collected using a Demographic Information Questionnaire, Intensive Care Experience Questionnaire, the Relationship Scales Questionnaire, and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II system. In the analysis of data, frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, minimum and maximum values, and Mann-Whitney U, Kruskal-Wallis, Bonferroni-adjusted Mann-Whitney, and Spearman ρ correlation tests were used. ResultsA significant difference in the awareness of surroundings subscale for attachment styles was noted (χ2 = 10.820, P ≤ .01). Moreover, participants' attachment styles (fearful, preoccupied, and dismissing) and intensive care experience were significantly correlated. A significant correlation was found between participants' secure attachment style points and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score during discharge from the ICU (r = 0.322, P = .001). ConclusionIndividuals' attachment styles should be taken into consideration when planning and implementing the nursing care and treatment of individuals hospitalized in an ICU.