Siblings of hospitalized children: assessment and intervention.
The issues faced by children who have had a sibling recently hospitalized are summarized in this report. In addition, the research findings about this sibling experience as well as assessment and intervention strategies for siblings are presented. Craft and Knafl and their colleagues have found that the siblings who are at the greatest risk for adverse effects are younger and experiencing many changes, perceive their parents to be treating them differently as compared with before their sibling's hospitalization, have received little information about their ill brother or sister, and are being cared for outside of the home by care providers who are not relatives. Nurses need to assess siblings and intervene as indicated to ensure that the effects of short-term stress do not initiate adverse long-term sequelae.
Craft
M J
MJ
College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002673:Child, Hospitalized / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D015399:Nursing Research; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D010347:Patient Care Planning; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D012801:Sibling Relations; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology