Manifestaciones de angustia en madres con hijos internados en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos Pediátricos

This research aimed to analyze the manifestations of angust in mothers facing the hospitalization of their children in a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) through an exploratory-descriptive study, highlighting the need for psychological support in this population. Additionally, the experience of motherhood in hospital settings and its effects were examined. Expert interviews were conducted, along with the partial application of the Thematic Apperception Test, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group with the mothers. The study concluded that angust is present and expressed on emotional, physical, cognitive, and behavioral levels. The experience of maternity in the hospital is marked by guilt over the child's hospitalization and anguish over the possibility of death and the long-term effects of medical procedures on their children. Hospitalization impacts and brings with it fantasies of death, anguish when authorizing medical procedures and confront the possibility of losing their child and the sequelae of illness.