The impact of visiting the Intensive Care Unit on children’s and adolescents’ psychological well-being: A systematic review

The visits of children/adolescents in adult intensive care units are increasingly more common. However, few studies examine the psychological impact visiting. This systematic review aims to summarise effects that visiting family members has on children/adolescents. A research articles published from 1990 January 2021 was conducted using PsycInfo, PubMed, and CINAHL. Inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. Those included evaluated Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal tools. narrative synthesis results conducted. Adult unit. identified five (three which qualitative), involving 141 Although experience potentially traumatic, it enabled better understand reality preserve their relationships with members. influenced by individual characteristics (e.g., age, past traumatic experiences) organisational facilitated visit or not). Regardless visitation, most presented anxiety depression symptoms need be addressed. Child/adolescent visitation seems have positive effects, provided there is preparation facilitation. Clinicians should pay attention optimise factors environment) order minimise trauma-inducing aspects.