Maladaptive Cognitive‐Emotional Regulation Between Psychological Vulnerability and Psychological Capital Among Families of <scp>ICU</scp> Patients

BACKGROUND: Investigating the mediating role of maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies in the association between psychological vulnerability and psychological capital among family members of patients in infectious diseases intensive care units (ICUs) holds important clinical relevance and practical value for clinical nursing practice, given the unique challenges posed by infection control measures, restricted visiting and the psychological burden associated with infectious diseases. AIM: To evaluate the mediating role of maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation in the relationship between psychological vulnerability and psychological capital among families of ICU patients. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey. METHODS: This study included family members of patients admitted to the ICU as study participants. The study measures comprised a general demographic information questionnaire, the Psychological Vulnerability Scale, the Positive Psychological Capital Questionnaire, the Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 211 family members of patients in the infectious disease ICU were included. Descriptive statistical analyses yielded the following mean scores (± standard deviation): psychological capital 122.22 ± 24.50, psychological vulnerability 46.47 ± 15.57, maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies 19.26 ± 8.64 and higher scores on the psychological flexibility measure indicating lower flexibility (greater experiential avoidance) 17.78 ± 10.13. Hierarchical regression analyses demonstrated that psychological vulnerability was a significant direct negative predictor of psychological capital (β = -0.261, p < 0.001, 95% CI [-0.405, -0.117]). Additionally, maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies exerted a significant partial mediating effect on the association between psychological vulnerability and psychological capital (β = -0.128, p < 0.01, 95% CI [-0.244, -0.042]), accounting for 24.76% of the total predictive effect of psychological vulnerability on psychological capital. CONCLUSION: Psychological vulnerability shows both a direct negative association and an indirect association with psychological capital, with maladaptive cognitive-emotional regulation strategies mediating the relationship between the two constructs. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: These findings highlight that critical care nurses should prioritize regular monitoring of the psychological status of infectious diseases ICU patients' family members and are well-positioned to deliver brief, targeted psychological interventions to alleviate their psychological distress.