Impact of hospitalisation on behavioural and physiological stress responses associated with cardiovascular risk in visiting family members.

Background: The hospitalisation of a patient in intensive care impacts the psychological health of family members, with a high prevalence of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress symptoms reported among families of critically ill patients. Understanding of the behavioural and physiological impact is limited and presents a new area of focus.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate behavioural and physiological stress responses of visiting family members following hospitalisation of their adult relative.