Anxiety reduction in children receiving medical care: developmental considerations.
The present investigation examined the importance of considering age-related conceptual abilities when designing preparation interventions for hospitalization and medical procedures. Forty-eight children, ages 3-5 years and 7-10 years, viewed videotaped information about an upcoming medical procedure. The children were assigned to one of three treatment conditions: control, developmentally appropriate information, developmentally advanced information. Results suggest that information which is designed to match the age-related conceptual abilities of the recipient more effectively reduces anxiety and increases cooperation. Implications for future research evaluating efficacy of preparation strategies are noted.
Department of Psychology, Denison University, Granville, Ohio 43023.
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D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003210:Concept Formation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods; D011351:Proctoscopy / Q000523:psychology*; D012803:Sick Role; D014743:Videotape Recording