[2026-01-26] Factors Associated With Transitional Stress Among Relatives During Transferring Critically Ill Patients From ICU-to-Ward
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33165/rmj.2026.e276375Keywords:
Hope, Intensive care unit, Preparedness, Relative, Transitional stress, UncertaintyAbstract
Background: The intensive care unit (ICU) provides effective care for critically ill patients and can significantly reduce mortality rates. However, ICU hospitalization is not only a crisis for patients, but also for their relatives, who often experience high levels of transitional stress. This stress can negatively impact their ability to provide loving care to the patient after the transfer to a general ward.
Objectives: To describe the level of transitional stress and determine the relationship between uncertainty, hope, and preparedness with transitional stress among relatives during transferring critically ill patients from ICU-to-Ward.
Methods: This study used a descriptive correlational cross-sectional research design. A total of 112 participants were recruited during December 2022 to September 2023 by selecting participants randomly, following the inclusion criteria. The research instruments included a demographic questionnaire, the Herth Hope Index, the Family Relocation Stress Scale, the Care Preparedness Scale, and the Parents’ Perception of Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Family Member. The reliability of the scales was 0.87, 0.88, 0.82, and 0.86, respectively. Descriptive statistics and Pearson product moment correlation were used to perform data analysis.
Results: The mean (SD) score of transitional stress was 36.5 (6.2), indicating a moderate level of stress. Uncertainty was positively correlated with transitional stress (r = 0.75, P < .001). However, hope and preparedness were negatively correlated with transitional stress (r = -0.40, P < .001; r = -0.44, P < .001 respectively).
Conclusions: Clinical nurses should develop nursing interventions to reduce transitional stress among a patient’s relatives by promoting their preparedness and hope, and communicate effectively to reduce the relatives’ uncertainty about the patient’s illness.
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