Acute Stress and Need for Psychological Follow‐Up Care in Parents of Children Treated at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit

ABSTRACT Background Admission of a child to a paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is a highly stressful experience for parents and may trigger acute stress disorder (ASD), posing a risk for long‐term post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Despite this vulnerability, structured follow‐up care is rarely offered. Aim This study examined (1) acute stress, post‐traumatic adjustment and the perceived need for psychological follow‐up care among parents of PICU patients, (2) variables associated with ASD symptoms and the need for follow‐up care, and (3) dyadic associations between mothers' and fathers' distress. Study Design An observational study was conducted at the PICU of a University Hospital in Germany between December 2022 and February 2024. Parents of children admitted for ≥ 48 h completed standardised self‐report instruments, including the Acute Stress Disorder Scale (ASDS) and the Post‐traumatic Adjustment Scale (PAS). Logistic regression analyses identified predictors of ASD and the need for follow‐up care; dyadic associations were explored with correlation and intraclass correlation analyses. Results Seventy‐seven parents of 52 children participated (58% mothers, median age 38 years). Nearly two‐thirds met diagnostic criteria for ASD, with mothers reporting higher symptom severity. Forty‐two percent screened positive for PTSD risk, and 68% for depression risk. One‐third (34%) expressed a need for psychological follow‐up care, which was strongly associated with PTSD risk (OR = 8.42, 95% CI 2.79–25.38). Dyadic analyses showed significant correlations of ASD symptoms between mothers and fathers ( r = 0.42), but not for PTSD or depression risk. Conclusions Parents of PICU patients experience high rates of acute stress and are at considerable risk for subsequent psychopathology. The need for psychological support is strongly linked to PTSD risk, and parental distress shows dyadic associations. Relevance to Clinical Practice Routine psychosocial screening and structured follow‐up care should be integrated into PICU services. Family‐centred interventions targeting both parents may help mitigate long‐term psychological consequences.