The Relationship between Perceived Stress and Coping Strategies of the family members of Patients with Coronavirus Admitted to the Intensive Care Units of Ardabil Medical centers

The widespread and increasing number of deaths due to the Corona virus has caused many psychological injuries, including stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to study the relationship between perceived stress and coping strategies of the family members of patients with Corona virus admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Ardabil medical centers. The present study is a descriptive-analytical study. Sampling was done by available method among the companions of patients with Corona virus infection admitted to the ICU (between May and September 2020). The number of research samples according to the results of a pilot study was estimated at 462 people. Available sampling method was used for sampling. Data collected included patient demographics, Cohen's Perceived Stress Questionnaire, and the Blinges-Moss Coping Styles Questionnaire. The collected data were analyzed using independent t-test, Mann-Whitney, Spearman and Chi-square tests and one-way analysis of variance by SPSS software version 24. The results showed that the mean and standard deviation of perceived stress were 44.80 ± 5.92 and emotion-oriented and problem-oriented coping styles were 19.08 ± 3.02 and 32.35 ± 5.54, respectively. Spearman correlation coefficient test showed a significant relationship between perceived stress with problem-oriented coping style (r = 0.321) and emotion-oriented coping style (r = 0.113) (p <0.05). This study showed that the companions of coronary patients admitted to the intensive care unit use more emotional coping methods, which results in increased emotional behaviors. Therefore, in order to help the psychological health of coronary patients, it is possible to strengthen the application of problem-oriented coping style by designing and implementing educational and supportive-care programs.