Association between psychosocial factors and satisfaction with communication in family members of intensive care unit patients during COVID-19 pandemic: An exploratory cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between satisfaction with communication and perceived stress, depressive symptoms and perceived social support among family members of critically ill. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY/DESIGN: Exploratory, cross-sectional study was conducted. SETTING: Private teaching hospital in Santiago, Chile. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: Family members of critically ill patients with 3–7 days of stay and respiratory support were approached. Questionnaires were used to assess satisfaction with communication (Family Satisfaction in the Intensive Care Unit-24), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale-10), depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-9) and perceived social support (Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey). The relationship between satisfaction with communication and relevant variables was investigated using bivariate analyses and a beta regression. RESULTS: The study included 42 family members, with 71.4% being female and 52.4% having prior critical care experience. There was a positive correlation between perceived stress and depressive symptoms (r = 0.32, p = 0.039). According to the beta regression, perceived social support (B; 95% confidence interval, 0.44 [1.05–2.29]) and the number of calls with unit staff (0.17 [1.06–1.32]) were positively associated with satisfaction with communication but negatively with college education (−1.86 [0.04–0.64]) and perceived stress (−0.07 [0.87–0.99]). CONCLUSION: Psychosocial factors, such as higher educational level, perceived stress and perceived social support, can influence family members’ evaluation of communication with staff. Current communication practices in acute care settings should be adapted to family members’ psychosocial context to improve their satisfaction with the communication process. IMPLICATIONS FOR CLINICAL PRACTICE: Critical care professionals must be aware of the influence of family member-related factors on the quality and effectiveness of the communication process. Psychosocial features of the family members are likely to impact their satisfaction with communication and should be assessed on admission and during their stay to assist clinicians to adjust and improve their communication practices.