BMC Psychol. 2025 Jul 9;13(1):759. doi: 10.1186/s40359-025-02862-2.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mediating role of coping styles in the relationship between disease uncertainty and stress perception among parents of critically ill children in the PICU.
METHODS: This cross-sectional study recruited 273 parents of children admitted to the PICU of a tertiary hospital in Guangdong Province, China. Standardized scales were used to assess disease uncertainty, coping style, and perceived stress. SPSS 26.0 software was used for descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, correlation analysis, multiple linear regression analysis and mediating effect analysis.
RESULTS: The mean score for parents stress perception of PICU children was (30.73 ± 4.62). Stress perception was positively correlated with disease uncertainty (r = 0.585, P < 0.01) and negative coping style (r = 0.349, P < 0.01), while negatively correlated with positive coping style (r = -0.539, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that disease uncertainty, positive coping style, parent-child relationship, residence and disease severity were significant predictors of parental perceived stress (P < 0.05). Mediation analysis showed that disease uncertainty not only directly affect stress perception, but also indirectly affect stress perception through coping style.
CONCLUSIONS: Disease uncertainty is a significant factor contributing to stress in parents of children admitted to the PICU. It affects their choice of coping styles, which in turn impacts their stress levels. This study highlights the importance of addressing disease uncertainty and coping strategies to reduce stress in parents of critically ill children and improve family-centered care in the PICU.
PMID:40635113 | DOI:10.1186/s40359-025-02862-2
