Keywords

Post-Intensive Care Syndrome; Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome; Critical Care Nursing; Acute Care Hospitalization; Mental Health

Abstract

Introduction: Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS) is "new or worsening problems in physical, cognitive, or mental health status arising after a critical illness and persisting beyond acute care hospitalization.” This study examined the prevalence of PICS mental health conditions in adult ARDS survivors hospitalized between 2020 and 2025 and differences in mental health conditions between those hospitalized during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This retrospective, descriptive, cross-sectional study enrolled adult survivors hospitalized between 2020 and 2025 who required mechanical ventilation and were at least 1 month removed from the intensive care unit (ICU). Individuals with prior brain injury were excluded. Participants were recruited through critical care and ARDS survivorship social media groups. Surveys included the Impact of Events Scale- Revised, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire-7, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and open-ended questions.

Results: Fifteen participants were surveyed. During hospitalization, 66.67% tested positive for COVID-19. Average time since discharge was 17.94 months, and average time in the hospital, in the ICU, and on mechanical ventilation were 67, 44, and 41 days, respectively. Participants averaged moderate post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (32.8), mild-to-moderate depression (11.13), mild-to-moderate anxiety (11.13), and poor sleep quality (10.7). Post-pandemic participants averaged higher PTSD, anxiety, and depression scores. Alcohol and marijuana use were reported by 13.33% and 33.33%, respectively. Pearson correlation revealed a positive association between sensory triggers and GAD or IES-R scores.

Conclusion: This study found adult critical illness survivors admitted to an ICU between 2020-2025 exhibited moderate to high levels of anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sleep disturbances, and no substance use disorders. Participants also reported sensory ICU triggers. Larger studies and interventional studies are needed to examine the prevalence of mental health conditions and test mental health treatments in this population.

Thesis Completion Year

2026

Thesis Completion Semester

Summer

Thesis Chair

Peach, Brian

College

College of Nursing

Department

College of Nursing

Thesis Discipline

Nursing

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Health Sciences Campus

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