Resilience in Family Members of ICU Patients: Scoping Review of the Literature

Introduction: Hospitalization of a patient in the intensive care unit (ICU) is one of the most stressful events, affecting not only the patient but also their close family members. This situation may lead to the development of anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep disturbances, and, in some cases, even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this context, increasing attention is being paid to the importance of psychological resilience—understood as an individual’s ability to effectively adapt to crisis situations and return to a state of relative emotional balance despite adversity. Methods: A scoping review method was used to map terms relevant to the resilience of family members of ICU patients. The aim of this study was to analyze current research on resilience among family members of patients in the intensive care unit (ICU), including measurement tools, facilitating factors, and psychological outcomes. Strict inclusion and exclusion criteria and the PCC framework were used to identify relevant studies. Results: The CD-RISC is the most used tool for assessing resilience in the families of ICU patients. Research suggests that resilience is associated with fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and acute stress. The studies indicate that spirituality, social/medical staff support, and involvement in care may be crucial factors for maintaining and increasing resilience. Some socio-demographic factors, such as gender, age, and previous mental disorders, may also influence the level of resilience. Conclusions: This scoping review highlights the need to implement measures aimed at strengthening the resilience of families of intensive care unit patients by promoting behaviors such as social/staff support and spirituality. Research suggests that levels of resilience may be associated with fewer psychological symptoms in family members of intensive care unit patients.