ABSTRACT
THE RELATIONSHIP OF NURSE THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND THE ANXIETY LEVELS OF PATIENT’S FAMILY IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT (ICU) MUHAMMADIYAH PONOROGO GENERAL HOSPITAL
By : Indah Khusuma Wardani
Family members of patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) often experience anxiety due to the patients' critical condition. Nurses' therapeutic communication is expected to help reduce this anxiety. This study aimed to determine the relationship between nurses' therapeutic communication and the anxiety levels of patients' family members in the ICU of Muhammadiyah General Hospital Ponorogo.
This study employed a correlational design with a cross-sectional approach. The sample consisted of 35 respondents selected using purposive sampling. Data were collected using therapeutic communication and anxiety questionnaires and were analyzed using the Spearman Rank correlation test
The results of study the majority of respondents (74.3%) rated the nurses' therapeutic communication as good, while 42.9% of respondents experienced mild anxiety. The Spearman Rank test results showed a p-value of 0.004 (<0.05) and a correlation coefficient (r) of -0.480, indicating a significant negative relationship of moderate strength.
The better therapeutic communication applied by nurse, the lower anxiety levels among the patients famillies. Effective therapeutic communication helps families obtain clear information, enhances trust, and provides emotional support, thereby reducing anxiety during the patient's stay in intensive care.

Keywords : Nurse Therapeutic Communication, Family Anxiety, Intensive Care Unit