The effect of nurse - parent support on the stress levels of parents of children in pediatric intensive care

Purpose: The study was conducted to determine the effect of nurse-parent support regarding stress levels of parents of children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Method: The study was conducted by using a descriptive and analytical design. The sample consisted of parents who provided informed written consent and whose children were hospitalized for more than 2 days due to acute or chronic illness in the pediatric intensive care unit of a university hospital between January and June 2025 (n=210). Data were collected using an introductory information form, the Parent Stress Scale (PSS), and the Nurse-Parent Support Scale (NPSS). Data were analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software package (Version 22 for Windows, SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant in the analysis. Findings: Parents' HEDÖ subscales and total scores showed a significant increase at discharge compared to the first day of hospitalization (all p<0.05), while ESÖ subscales and total scores decreased significantly (all p<0.05). Mothers' educational level and employment status showed significant differences in the HEDÖ subscales (all p<0.05). In the years ahead of a child, previous diagnosis, continuous medication use, and previous intensive care (ICU) experience Purpose: The study was conducted to determine the effect of nurse-parent support regarding stress levels of parents of children admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit. Method: The study was conducted by using a descriptive and analytical design. The sample consisted of parents who provided informed written consent and whose children were hospitalized for more than 2 days due to acute or chronic illness in the pediatric intensive care unit of a university hospital between January and June 2025 (n=210). Data were collected using an introductory information form, the Parent Stress Scale (PSS), and the Nurse-Parent Support Scale (NPSS). Data were analyzed using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) software package (Version 22 for Windows, SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant in the analysis. Findings: Parents' HEDÖ subscales and total scores showed a significant increase at discharge compared to the first day of hospitalization (all p<0.05), while ESÖ subscales and total scores decreased significantly (all p<0.05). Mothers' educational level and employment status showed significant differences in the HEDÖ subscales (all p<0.05). In the years ahead of a child, previous diagnosis, continuous medication use, and previous intensive care (ICU) experience increased stress levels in parents. In addition, significant correlations, generally negative, were found between the HEDÖ and ESÖ subscales. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that support provided to parents through nursing practices plays an important role in reducing parental stress, highlighting the importance of implementing family- integrated care in pediatric intensive care units.