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.
Rasnake
L K
LK
Department of Psychology, Denison University, Granville, Ohio 43023.
Linscheid
T R
TR
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