EFFECT OF TEMPERAMENT AND THE ENVIRONMENT ON THE BEHAVIOR OF HOSPITALIZED SCHOOL-AGE CHILDREN.
Contributors: University of California, San Francisco.
Published: 1988
Number of pages: 199
Subjects: Health Sciences, Nursing.
Description: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of temperament and the environment on the behavior of hospitalized school-age children. Seventy-six children, ages 8 to 12, who experienced an unplanned hospitalization were studied. The children's behavior was measured by questionnaires completed by their mothers at three times: their usual behavior, during the first three days of hospitalization, their behavior during and following hospitalization, the first week after they have returned home, and their current behavior, one month after hospital dismissal.

A theoretical causal model, based on Chess and Thomas' goodness of fit framework, was tested. The findings provided support for Chess and Thomas' theory of the importance of temperament in predicting children's behavior. Temperament dimensions accounted for more than 50% of the variance in the children's behavior at all three time periods. At time 1, predictability, approach, mood, and threshold explained 55% of the variance. At time 2, mood, predictability, and approach explained 57% of the variance. And at time 3, mood, intensity, and approach explained 54% of the variance. Family and demographic variables were not predictive.

Repeated measures analysis of variance were used to examine whether the children's behavior changed as a result of hospitalization. In general, it did not. However, there were two exceptions. For one subgroup of children, whose behavior initially was significantly low in approach, and, therefore, tended toward withdrawal, there was a change in behavior over time. This subgroup of children's behavior was significantly improved at one month after dismissal when compared to their usual behavior before hospitalization, indicating that their hospital experience had not been detrimental but rather stimulated positive behavioral changes.

The other exception also involved, approach, which was the only temperament dimension to change signifcantly over time. In the same pattern, the children in the subgroup who initially were low in approach showed a significant improvement at one month post hospitalization when compared to their usual behavior prior to hospitalization, indicating for them a lessened tendency toward withdrawal.

The study findings suggest the importance of temperament theory in understanding children's individual patterns of behavioral responses to hospitalization. Future research is warranted to determine whether children's behavior differs by diagnosis and levels of chronicity.
Notes: Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 49-09, Section: B, page: 3677.

Thesis (PH.D.)--UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO, 1988.

School code: 0034.