Evaluation of family-centered care perception and psychological conditions of parents in pediatric intensive care units

The aim of this study is to determine the factors affecting the perception of family-centered care and psychological states (anxiety, depression) of parents in pediatric intensive care. This study is descriptive and correlational in nature and was conducted between June 2024 and February 2025 with 134 parents whose children were hospitalized in the pediatric intensive care unit. The study data were collected through the parent information form, Beck Depression Inventory, State-Trait Anxiety Scale, and Family-Centered Care Rating Scale. Data were collected through both face-to-face and online methods. Face-to-face data were obtained from a pediatric intensive care unit affiliated with a Faculty of Medicine; online data were obtained from parents via Instagram and WhatsApp applications. Data were analyzed using the SPSS-15 statistical package program. In order to examine the relationship between the Mann-Whitney U Test in binary groups that do not meet the normal distribution assumption and the Kruskall-Wallis Test in groups of more than two, and the Spearman's rho relationship test and the ENTER model in multiple linear regression analysis were used. According to the study findings, the mean depression score of the parents was 15.1±9.38, the mean state anxiety score was 40.6±7.58, the mean trait anxiety score was 46.1±8.17 and the mean family-centered care score was 83.5±18.6. As a result of the multiple linear regression analysis, it was determined that the model created was significant (F= 2.466; p:0.021). It was determined that the depression, state anxiety, number of children and child age variables included in the model were insignificant in the model (p>0.05). It was observed that the trait anxiety, age and visit frequency variables included in the model (p: 0.004, p: 0.045, p: 0.033) were significant. As a result, it was determined that there was a significant relationship between the perception of family-centered care and psychological states of parents of children receiving treatment in the pediatric intensive care unit; this relationship was particularly striking in the context of anxiety levels. These findings reveal the need for advanced research and interventions to strengthen family-centered care practices. Keywords: Pediatric Intensive Care, Parent, Family-Centered Care, Anxiety, Depression, Nurse