Feasibility and Acceptability: Narrative Writing with Caregivers in Pediatric Critical Care

Abstract

Background:

Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admissions are caregiver stressors with potential long-term impact. Writing interventions have shown health benefits, although not yet with parents writing during their child's PICU admission.

Objective:

The study objective was to quantify intervention acceptability and feasibility and to qualitatively examine written texts.

Design:

This is a proof-of-concept three-arm randomized trial.

Setting and Subjects:

Subjects were legal caregivers ≥18 years, able to read and write English, and of children ≤18 years in a U.S. PICU for ≥1 day.

Measurements:

Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire, enrollment rates, completed encounters, and qualitative thematic analysis.

Results:

Acceptability was high (49% enrollment; mean [standard deviation] Treatment Acceptability Questionnaire scores: M = 24.8 [2.4]). Feasibility was 100% scheduled-to-completed sessions. Thematic analysis revealed two themes (people and relationships); texts were more cognitive than emotional.

Conclusions:

Caregivers, provided resources and supported by a narrative medicine facilitator, are likely to engage in expressive writing. The intervention warrants subsequent development.