DEVELOPMENTAL CHANGES IN CHILDREN'S AWARENESS AND USE OF COPING STRATEGIES DURING HOSPITALIZATION FOR ELECTIVE SURGERY (SURGERY).
Contributors: New York University.
Published: 1989
Number of pages: 175
Subjects: Psychology, Developmental.; Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The present study was designed to link two separate literatures on children's coping with stress. The cognitive-developmental literature has examined how children's knowledge of strategies for coping may change with age. The pediatric literature has examined the impact of various intervention programs in helping children to cope with medical stress. Little attention has been given to determining the relation between children's knowledge and behavior in their attempts to cope with stress. This study was designed to consider both of these factors in a sample of children dealing with hospitalization for minor surgery.

51 children in three age groups (5-6 $1\over2$, 6 $1\over2$-9 $1\over2$ and 9 $1\over2$-13 years) participated in the study. Subjects were interviewed about a hypothetical stressor shortly before hospitalization for minor elective surgery. Their coping behavior was observed in the hospital both one week before and on the morning of surgery. One week after hospitalization children were asked to recall what they had done to cope while in the hospital. The impact of anxiety on coping knowledge and behavior was also assessed.

The data from the coping interviews show that avoidance strategies were preferred over approach and emotion manipulation techniques. Behavioral distraction was the avoidance strategy mentioned most often by children at all ages. Youngsters under the age of 7 tended to have little awareness of cognitive distraction and mentioned escape strategies quite frequently.

The observational data also revealed that behavioral distraction was the most common coping strategy used when it was available as a coping option. When it was not available, however, approach was most often used.

The behavioral observation data revealed situational variations in the coping behaviors employed. Finally, developmental differences were found in children's knowledge of particular coping strategies, depending on the level of stress they were currently experiencing.

These findings are discussed in terms of the insight they provide into the relationship between children's coping knowledge and behavior. In addition, practical implications for training programs designed to help children manage their emotions during medical stress are discussed.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 51-04, Section: B, page: 2080.

Thesis (PH.D.)--NEW YORK UNIVERSITY, 1989.

School code: 0146.