title: The psychosocial impact of play on hospitalized children.
abstract: Compared the effects of play on the psychosocial adjustment of 46 children hospitalized for acute illness, who were placed in one of four groups: therapeutic play, diversionary play, verbal support, and no treatment. Ratings of psychological adjustment included self-report, as well as nurse and parent ratings. Children in the therapeutic play condition evidenced a significant reduction in self-reported hospital fears. Parent ratings were not affected by therapeutic treatments; rather, parents in all four groups rated their children less anxious from pre- to posttesting. Results are discussed in terms of methodological considerations that have affected outcomes in this type of research.
authors.forename: W A
authors.initials: WA
authors.lastname: Rae
authors.forename: F F
authors.initials: FF
authors.lastname: Worchel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Upchurch
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sanner
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Daniel
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010989:Play Therapy; D010988:Play and Playthings; D012944:Social Support