Latent Profile Analysis of Families Relocation Stress Prior to Transfer Out of Cardiac Surgery Intensive Care Unit Patients.

Background: Understanding the manifestations of stress in family members of postoperative cardiac patients after transfer from the cardiac surgical intensive care unit (CSICU) is important so that more targeted interventions can be applied. Objectives: The aim of the study was to explore the relationships among the level of family stress after relocation of patients after cardiac surgery, family members' uncertainty regarding the illness, and caregivers' readiness, thereby providing a theoretical basis for intervention. Methods: A general information questionnaire, the Family Relocation Stress Scale, Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale-Family Member Form, and Caregiver Preparedness Scale form were completed by 319 family members of patients in the CSICU of a tertiary hospital in Shandong Province from June 2024 to September 2024. The profiles of individuals experiencing family relocation stress were analyzed, and the influences of individual factors were analyzed. Results: Model 3 proved to be best suited for the analysis, with entropy = 0.865 and a bootstrap likelihood ratio p < 0.001. The factors that influenced family relocation stress included educational level, caregiving experience, place of residence, caregiver preparedness, and uncertainty about the illness (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, three distinct patient classifications were identified: a high relocation stress group, a medium relocation stress group, and a low relocation stress group. There was significant heterogeneity in the levels of stress experienced by the families of patients in the CSICU before transfer. These results suggest that medical staff could implement targeted interventions to reduce the relocation stress experienced by family caregivers.