Psychological distress among family members of patients with cardiovascular diseases in critical care units: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Limited research has explored the prevalence and predictors of depression, anxiety, and stress among this population in Jordan. Therefore, this study addresses this gap by investigating depression, anxiety, and stress and correlating factors among family members of patients with CVDs. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 398 family members of patients with CVDs in the critical care units of four governmental hospitals in Jordan. Data were collected using a questionnaire that included the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-42) from January to March 2025. The participants reported moderate to extreme levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Advanced age, longer stays in critical care units, lower levels of education, being divorced or widowed, critical patient health status, shorter disease duration, and being a female significantly contribute to this distress. Interventions targeting psychosocial support for family members of patients with CVDs, particularly those at greater risk, are urgently needed.