COVID-19 Family Stress Study
Investigators: JR Curtis (UW) and Timothy Amass (UC Denver)
Unfunded Research Project: April 2020 to May 2021
Early in 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we collaborated with researchers from around the country to examine the stress-related disorders in family members of COVID-19 patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This resulted in a multi-site, mixed-methods study. We aim to characterize the burden of psychological distress in family members 3, 6, and 12 months after patients’ ICU admission for COVID-19 using standard surveys and semi-structured qualitative interviews. We hope to identify predisposing or mitigating exposures for psychological distress that identify patients and family members at high risk (non-modifiable) and/or those which can serve as a basis for future interventions (modifiable).
Publications from this study include:
Ambler M, Rhoads S, Peterson R, et al. One Year Later: Family Members of Patients with COVID-19 Experience Persistent Symptoms of PTSD. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2022 Dec 12. [Online ahead of print.]
Amass T, Van Scoy LJ, Hua M, et al. Stress-Related Disorders of Family Members of Patients Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit With COVID-19. JAMA Intern Medicine. 2022 Jun 1;182(6):624-633.
Hochendoner SJ, Amass TH, Curtis JR, Witt P, Weng X, Toyobo O, Lipnick D, Armstrong P, Cruse MH, Rea O, Van Scoy LJ. Voices From the Pandemic: A Qualitative Study of Family Experiences and Suggestions Regarding the Care of Critically Ill Patients. Annals of the American Thoracic Society. 2022 Apr;19(4):614-624. EPUB August 2021.