Post-Decision-Making Anxiety and Depression in Family Members with Visitation Restrictions and a Patient Admitted to the Critical Care Unit

Abstract

Background

Family members of patients admitted to the critical care unit (CCU) often face the challenging task of decision-making concerning treatment options, which could negatively affect their mental status. Visitation restrictions (VRs) for family members based on an infectious disease may contribute to mental distress.

Propose

This study aimed to examine the differences in anxiety and depression between family members with VRs and those without VRs after making decisions for patients in the CCU.

Methods

This cross-sectional study employed a questionnaire to collect data on the basic characteristics of the patients and their family members and the presence of VRs during the hospitalization. The Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale was used for the assessment of anxiety and depression.

Results

Of the 100 family members (68% with VRs), those with VRs reported higher post-decision-making anxiety than those without VRs, even in multivariate analysis. Conversely, post-decision-making depression worsened in family members without VRs compared to those with VRs.

Conclusions

Family members of patients in the CCU who had VRs reported higher post-decision-making anxiety, whereas those without VRs reported increased depression. Recognizing VR-dependent changes in post-decision-making anxiety and depression in family members could help them manage mental distress.

Keywords

critical nursing family decision making anxiety depression visitation restrictions

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