City Research Online

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:	Symplectic Administrator

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