PEDIATRICS Vol. 64 No. 5 November 1979, pp. 656-664
This Article
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Submit a response
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me when eLetters are posted
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow E-mail this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My File Cabinet
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrow reprints & permissions
Citing Articles
Right arrow Citing Articles via HighWire
Right arrow Citing Articles via CrossRef
Right arrow Citing Articles via Google Scholar
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Ferguson, B. F.
Right arrow Search for Related Content
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Ferguson, B. F.

Preparing Young Children for Hospitalization: A Comparison of Two Methods

Barbara Faye Ferguson 1

1 Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

This study examined two methods of preparing children aged 3 to 7 years for hospitalization. One method was a preadmission home contact by a nurse. The second was a filmed modeling sequence shown on admission. The effectiveness of each condition in reducing anxiety in the children and mothers was examined separately and in combination. One group of children experienced neither preparatory method. All children were undergoing elective tonsillectomies.

The children's adjustment to the hospital was measured on three occasions via a self-report measure of anxiety, electromyographic measures of muscular tension, and ratings of behavioral upset. Posthospital adjustment was assessed with Vernon et al's Post-Hospital Behavior Inventory. An assessment of maternal anxiety was obtained twice via a self-report measure of anxiety. Maternal satisfaction with care and information was also obtained.

The results indicate that a preadmission visit contributes to the lessening of maternal anxiety during and after the child's hospitalization. A preadmission visit was also associated with reduction in the incidence of negative posthospital behavior particularly with the 6- and 7-year-olds. Mothers who were preadmitted expressed significantly greater satisfaction with the care and information they and their children received.

Viewing a peer modeling film was associated with a decrease in the children's hospital-specific physiologic anxiety response at the preoperative measure. In addition, children who viewed a peer modeling film displayed a significantly lowered incidence of undesirable posthospital behavior.

Submitted on November 29, 1978
Accepted on March 13, 1979




This article has been cited by other articles:


Home page
 PediatricsHome page
M. Shudy, M. L. de Almeida, S. Ly, C. Landon, S. Groft, T. L. Jenkins, and C. E. Nicholson
Impact of Pediatric Critical Illness and Injury on Families: A Systematic Literature Review
Pediatrics, December 1, 2006; 118(Supplement_3): S203 - S218.
[Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 CirculationHome page
S. LeRoy, E. M. Elixson, P. O'Brien, E. Tong, S. Turpin, and K. Uzark
Recommendations for Preparing Children and Adolescents for Invasive Cardiac Procedures: A Statement From the American Heart Association Pediatric Nursing Subcommittee of the Council on Cardiovascular Nursing in Collaboration With the Council on Cardiovascular Diseases of the Young
Circulation, November 18, 2003; 108(20): 2550 - 2564.
[Full Text] [PDF]

Home page
 Communication ResearchHome page
B. J. WILSON
Desensitizing Children's Emotional Reactions to the Mass Media
Communication Research, December 1, 1989; 16(6): 723 - 745.
[Abstract]