Sources of parental stress in pediatric intensive care units.

This study utilized an inductive approach to identify sources of stress experienced by parents when a child is admitted to a pediatric intensive care unit. Based on a thorough review of the literature, clinical observations, and interviews with parents of children recently discharged from a pediatric intensive care unit, 79 items defining eight dimensions of pediatric intensive care stressors were identified. Suggestions are made for intervention strategies that can be utilized in an attempt to minimize parental stress.