Factors Affecting State and Trait Anxiety of Relatives of Hospitalized Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Hospitalization is a stressful event for both patients and relatives. The aim of the study was to explorefactors affecting state and trait anxiety of relatives of hospitalized patients. Methods:In this cross-sectional study, was enrolled a convenience sample of 222 relatives of hospitalized patients in a public hospital in Athens, Greece. Data were collected by the completion of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) which also included participants’ characteristics. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20, while the statistical significance level was P < 0.05. Results:Of the 222 relatives, 72 were men and 150 women. The average state and trait anxiety score was 45.6 and 42, respectively, within the possible range of scores (20-80) thus indicating moderate levels of anxiety. Moreover, state and trait anxiety was statistically significantly associated with gender, degree of information of patient’s health, whether they had readjusted family responsibilities, whether they had financial worries, whether they experienced uncertainty about future and finally whether they were anxious about their ability to respond to patients care. Conclusion:Factors associated with relatives’ anxiety were gender, information regarding patient’s health, family responsibilities, financial worries, uncertainty and anxiety to respond to patients’ care. These factors need to be evaluated when planning psychological intervention to alleviate this emotional burden.

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“…The level of anxiety either State or Trait was not different in both groups and the levels of anxiety of these patients were moderate to high anxiety levels which corroborated with the same trend as the previously reported in hospitalized patients. 1,2 A previous study reported that numerous factors are associated with State and Trait anxiety particularly the uncertainty of the future and the ability to response to patient care. 1 Moreover, previous studies have suggested that the communication and giving information are the effective methods to reduce patient's anxious.…”

“…1,2 A previous study reported that numerous factors are associated with State and Trait anxiety particularly the uncertainty of the future and the ability to response to patient care. 1 Moreover, previous studies have suggested that the communication and giving information are the effective methods to reduce patient's anxious. 34,35,43,44 It is interesting that the State and Trait anxiety score in both groups significantly decreased from baseline.…”

“…It has been reported that hospitalization causes a moderate to high anxiety levels to these patients. 1,2 High levels of anxiety produce several undesirable outcomes before, during and after the procedure. Increasing heart rate, blood pressure or other sympathetic outflows, and an increasing pain sensation are common possible effects of anxiety.…”

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“…9 When a patient is admitted to the hospital, it affects the psychosocial aspects of relatives' daily life and entails emotional changes such as sadness, worry and despair. 10,11 Relatives typically give priority to the welfare of the person close to them and often forget to care for themselves. 12 The needs of relatives are found to include social, emotional and practical needs.…”