Abstract:

Objective This study explored the psychological and social adaptation process of children after intensive care，aiming to provide scientific evidence for clinical interventions and family support. Methods A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed，using purposive sampling to recruit 15 children who had been hospitalized in the PICU of a tertiary pediatric hospital in Hangzhou from July to September 2023. Results Three themes and nine subthemes were identified：impact of the intensive care experience（memories of fear and discomfort，sleep disturbances and rhythm disruption，emotional fluctuations and personality changes）；re-adaptation to family and society（unfamiliarity and adaptation to the family environment，deterioration and rebuilding of social skills，recovery and challenges in learning abilities）；and psychological adjustment during rehabilitation（enhanced health awareness and self-management，reformation and acceptance of self-identity，acquisition of social support and gratitude）. Conclusion Children who experience intensive care face various psychological and social adaptation challenges. Strengthening emotional management，establishing a hospital-family-school integrated support system，optimizing follow-up services，and enhancing family health education are essential for improving their long-term adaptation.

Key words: Children, Critical Illness, Intensive Care Units, Experience, Pediatric Nursing, Qualitative Study