Effects of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Diary on Parents

Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) admission is a highly stressful and potentially traumatic experience for parents, who may experience anxiety, uncertainty, helplessness, and post-traumatic stress symptoms that can persist after discharge. PICU diaries have emerged as a family-centered intervention to help parents understand and reconstruct the intensive care experience, reduce memory gaps, facilitate emotional expression, and strengthen communication with healthcare professionals. Previous studies suggest that PICU diaries are feasible, acceptable, and potentially effective in reducing psychological distress and improving family experiences. However, randomized controlled studies evaluating their effects on parental traumatic stress, anxiety, and satisfaction with care remain limited. Moreover, no experimental study evaluating a structured PICU diary intervention in Türkiye has been identified. Therefore, evaluating the effects of PICU diaries on parental psychological outcomes and satisfaction with care is warranted.