eISSN 2097-6046
ISSN 2096-7446
CN 10-1655/R
Responsible Institution:China Association for Science and Technology
Sponsor:Chinese Nursing Association
Special Planning—Risk Management and Practice of Pediatric Critical Care

Psychological and social adaptation in children post-intensive care:a qualitative study

  • ZHU Jiajia ,
  • CHUI Linbo ,
  • JIN Hongcheng ,
  • ZHU Jihua
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  • Department of Nursing,the Children’s Hospital,Zhejiang University School of Medicine,Hangzhou,310052,China

Received date: 2024-10-30

  Online published: 2025-04-28

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.

Cite this article

ZHU Jiajia , CHUI Linbo , JIN Hongcheng , ZHU Jihua . Psychological and social adaptation in children post-intensive care:a qualitative study[J]. Chinese Journal of Emergency and Critical Care Nursing, 2025 , 6(5) : 543 -547 . DOI: 10.3761/j.issn.2096-7446.2025.05.005

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