The effects of maternal anxiety on posthospitalization behaviors of the young child

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to help determine if a toddler's behavioral reaction to hospitalization is affected by the level of the mother's anxiety during hospitalization. Twelve children, aged 15 to 46 months, .who were scheduled for a minor surgical procedure, were included in the study. Their mothers were interviewed before hospitalization,. on the evening of admission,.and eight to ten days posthospitalization~ Trait and state anxiety were measured all three times using the Taylor Mani·.fest Anxiety Scale (MAS) and the Zuckerman (Now-Today) checklist. The ·child's behavior was reported by the mother pre and posthospitalization using the Vernon Posthospitalization beha~ior items on a Liker.t· scale. Trait anxiety was found to be significantly correlated with child behavior before hospitalization. State anxiety was significantly correlated with child behaviors pre and posthospitalization. There was an i.ncrease i.n n.egative child:behavi.ors posthospitalization, but the difference was not statistically significant. Implications for nurses and further research are discussed.