Investigating the Relationship between the Level of Hidden and Overt Anxiety and Spiritual Health in the Families of Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit

Previous studies have shown that anxiety is prevalent among the families of patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units (ICU). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of anxiety and its relationship with spiritual health in the families of patients hospitalized in ICU.

This was a descriptive and analytical study in Qazvin City. The studied population included 150 family members of patients hospitalized in ICU. Family member means the patient's father, mother, friend, spouse, brother, or sister who was over 18 years old. Data collection was done using contextual variables checklist, Spielberger's overt and covert anxiety questionnaire, and Poltzen and Ellison's spiritual health questionnaire. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 23 software.

Out of 150 participants in this study, 78 were men and the rest were women. About the patient, most of them were the patient's wife and child. The average age of the participants in the present study was 37.9 years. The mean score of overt anxiety was 50.1±9.4 and hidden anxiety was 47.5±9.1. The mean score of spiritual health was 84.1±1.16. The results of the Pearson correlation test showed an inverse and significant relationship between the score of spiritual health and overt anxiety (P=0.001, r=-0.566) and spiritual health with hidden anxiety (P=0.001, r=-0.516).

The results showed that the anxiety of the family of patients hospitalized in ICU is related to their spiritual health. This issue depicts the importance of paying more attention to the spiritual dimension in the families of patients hospitalized in ICU and its role in reducing their anxiety.