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The association between parent's and healthcare professional's behavior and children's coping and distress during venepuncture

Mahoney, L., Ayers, S. & Seddon, P. (2010). The association between parent's and healthcare professional's behavior and children's coping and distress during venepuncture. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 35(9), pp. 985-995. doi: 10.1093/jpepsy/jsq009

Abstract

Objectives: Examine the association between children’s distress and coping during venepuncture with parent’s and healthcare professional’s behavior in a sample from the UK.

Methods: Fifty children aged 7–16 years accompanied by a carer were videotaped while having venepuncture. Verbalizations of children, parents, and healthcare professionals were coded using the Child–Adult Medical Procedure Interaction Scale-Revised.

Results: Children’s distress was associated with child’s age, anxiety, and distress promoting behavior of adults (R2 = .91). Children’s coping was associated with age, anxiety, and coping promoting behaviors of adults (R2 = .57). Associations were stronger between healthcare professional’s behavior and child coping; and between parent’s behaviors and child distress. Empathizing, apologizing, and criticism were not frequently used by adults in this sample (<12%).

Conclusion: This study supports and extends previous research showing adult’s behavior is important in children’s distress and coping during needle procedures. Clinical implications and methodological issues are discussed.

Publication Type: Article
Publisher Keywords: adolescents, anxiety, children, coping, health care services, parenting style
Subjects: B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology
R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine
Departments: School of Health & Psychological Sciences > Nursing
SWORD Depositor:
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