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Introduction The birth of a sick child, as well as the infant’s subsequent hospitalization in an neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), is undoubtedly stressful for the parents of the infant. Most studies conducted in groups of parents of such children focus on the assessment of the negative changes in their functioning due to such stress. The authors were interested in positive changes in the psychological functioning of parents that may occur after traumatic experiences. These changes are referred to as post-traumatic growth (PTG). Objective The aim of this study was to examine whether parents experience post-traumatic growth and to determine the predictors of PTG in fathers and mothers, depending on the coping strategy adopted. Material and methods The study involved 82 parents, whose children were previously hospitalized in neonatal intensive care unit. The methods used included the following standardized psychological tests: the Post-traumatic Growth Inventory, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised, and the COPE Inventory. Socio-demographic and medical data were also collected. Results Analysis of the data proved that the illness and hospitalization of a child are significantly associated with the occurrence of post-traumatic growth in parents. PTG in mothers is higher than in fathers. Predictors of PTG in fathers include the use of strategies aimed at seeking emotional support and positive reinterpretation and growth, while in the group of mothers, seeking emotional support, religious coping and planning were the coping strategies used. Conclusions Research on post-traumatic growth should be expanded. Knowledge of the predictors of positive growth in a difficult situation can contribute to the widespread implementation of primary and secondary prevention of post-traumatic stress symptoms as well as increase positive changes in individuals who have experienced traumatic events.

Introduction Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (PSS:NICU) by M. Miles et al. has been developed in order to assess the stress experienced by parents of infants being treated in Intensive Care Units. The measurement of parental stress enables the evaluation of nursing care effectiveness, as well as facilitating the determination of the level of progress made by parents in coping with the difficult situation they face. Objectives The aims of the research include: (1) validation of the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit into Polish and (2) initial assessment of perceptions of parental stress in a group of 151 parents of infants treated in four NICUs in Poland. Material and methods This quantitative cross-sectional study was performed among 151 parents (129 mothers and 22 fathers) of infants treated in four NICUs in central and eastern Poland. The respondents were asked to complete forms following the Parental Stressor Scale: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the Impact Event Scale – Revised (IES–R),and their demographics, which combined basic medical data along with socio-emographic data of both parents and children. Results The three sub-scales distinguished on the basis of the factor analysis (Infant Appearance, Parental Role Alteration, Sights and Sounds) can explain in total 54.89% of variances. Cronbach’s alpha for the entire scale equals 0.92, while as follows for the particular sub-scales: Infant Appearance -.92; Parental Role Alteration -.86, and Sights and Sounds – 0.78. Conclusions The Polish version of PSS:NICU is an accurate and reliable tool for the assessment of stress experienced by parents whose infants require treatment in NICUs.

Introduction and objective The aim of the study was assessment of the internal consistency and accuracy of the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List – 40 v. GP (ISEL-40 v. GP) in a group of mothers of healthy children and in a group of mothers of children with a medical history, and presentation of the initial research results. Material and methods A group of 230 mothers were involved in the research: 57 mothers of healthy children, 26 mothers of infants with a perinatal medical history, as well as 147 mothers of hospitalized children. The method of a diagnostic survey with standardized tools, such as the Interpersonal Support Evaluation List (ISEL-40 v. GP), Hospital and Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) and the authors’ own questionnaire was utilized. Results Analysis of the research results suggests satisfactory internal consistency of the ISEL-40 v. GP in the researched group (α=0.86). It was also noticed that internal consistency of the subscales varied. The subscales of tangible support (α=0.79) and belonging support (α=0.73) obtained acceptable values. Internal consistency of self-esteem support (α=0.51) and appraisal support (α=0.62) was too low to be recommended for individual and scientific use. An attempt to modify the number of items did not come up to expectations in terms of the subscales internal consistency. Social support in mothers of healthy and ill children was moderate (29.92 – 33.45 points) and no statistically significant differences in their perception of the support were observed. Conclusions In the research on a group of mothers of healthy and ill children it is recommended to use only a social support indicator based on the general result of the ISEL-40 v. GP. Further research aimed at verification of the theoretical structure of the Polish version of the ISEL-40 v. GP is advised.

Admission The cerebral stroke is a direct distress of the health and the life. The patient with the suspicion of stroke requires urgent intervention irrespective of the course of manifestations and their degree of the intensity. During the help at the preclinical stage an evaluation of practical parameters and registering direction and dynamics of changes are most important in this respect. As part of dealing on the Hospital accident ward with the sick person with the stated cerebral stroke one should verify and implement changes in applied curing by team members medical lifeguards. Purpose of research Analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic standards is a purpose of the work applied with patients with the cerebral stroke at the preclinical stage and as part of the care on the Hospital accident ward. Materials and methods Information taken from medical documentation of course of the process of diagnostics and curing 130 patients with the diagnosed cerebral stroke at medical institutions in the province constitutes research material Lublin. Analysis of medical documentation covered years 2013 up to 2016. Discussion The most frequent object manifestations stated at patients from the examined group: giddiness, headache, disequilibrium, nausea and/or the vomiting, the dysphagia, visual disturbances, pareses and hypoesthesias. According to analysis results and with literature at sick persons with the cerebral stroke a computed axial tomography and a magnetic resonance, as well as additional examinations are made examinations leading the way. Conclusions According to the analysis of the results amongst early complications they observed: cerebral oedema, widen/ing moving the arrangement of the cellular brain, the secondary ischaemia of the haemorrhagic stroke. All described disorders of the awareness were diagnosed in the early phase of the cerebral stroke i.e. 4-5 hours from the beginning of the riot of any neurological warning signals.

Admission The cerebral stroke is a direct distress of the health and the life. The patient with the suspicion of stroke requires urgent intervention irrespective of the course of manifestations and their degree of the intensity. During the help at the preclinical stage an evaluation of practical parameters and registering direction and dynamics of changes are most important in this respect. As part of dealing on the Hospital accident ward with the sick person with the stated cerebral stroke one should verify and implement changes in applied curing by team members medical lifeguards. Purpose of research Analysis of diagnostic and therapeutic standards is a purpose of the work applied with patients with the cerebral stroke at the preclinical stage and as part of the care on the Hospital accident ward. Materials and methods Information taken from medical documentation of course of the process of diagnostics and curing 130 patients with the diagnosed cerebral stroke at medical institutions in the province constitutes research material Lublin. Analysis of medical documentation covered years 2013 up to 2016. Discussion The most frequent object manifestations stated at patients from the examined group: giddiness, headache, disequilibrium, nausea and/or the vomiting, the dysphagia, visual disturbances, pareses and hypoesthesias. According to analysis results and with literature at sick persons with the cerebral stroke a computed axial tomography and a magnetic resonance, as well as additional examinations are made examinations leading the way. Conclusions According to the analysis of the results amongst early complications they observed: cerebral oedema, widen/ing moving the arrangement of the cellular brain, the secondary ischaemia of the haemorrhagic stroke. All described disorders of the awareness were diagnosed in the early phase of the cerebral stroke i.e. 4-5 hours from the beginning of the riot of any neurological warning signals.