Coping strategies of the family of critically ill trauma patients during the days of the patient's hospitalization: analysis of contractual content

Background and ObjectivesTrauma is an unexpected event with various physical and psychological consequences for the individuals and their families.The family caregivers of traumatic patients tolerate heavy physical and mental pressure which leads to the emergence of negative behaviors.This study aims to investigate the coping strategies of the families of critical trauma patients during the hospitalization of their patients.Methods This is a qualitative study using contractual content analysis, conducted in 2023 on the family members of patients hospitalized in the trauma departments of hospitals in Qom, Iran.Eighteen family members were selected in a purposeful way an underwent in-depth semi-structured interviews.The data analysis was done using Zhang and Widelmuth's qualitative content analysis method. ResultsThe results led to the extraction of two main themes of non-constructive and constructive coping strategies, each with five sub-themes Conclusion The families of critically ill trauma patients in Iran use constructive and non-constructive strategies during the hospitalization of their patients to cope with the conditions.Strengthening their constructive and positive strategies by nurses and helping them to correct negative non-constructive strategies can help with managing the mental-psychological conditions of family members of these patients during hospitalization.