Influence of Mothers' Coping Skills and Anxiety in Hospitalized Children | Patient Centered Care and Trauma Informed Care for Pediatric Patients

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

No parent ever wants to see their child in pain, and certainly not hospitalized. The stress, anxiety, fears and worries accompanying a hospitalization all test the coping skills of the child as well as the whole family. New research from the University of Alabama suggests that a mother's coping skills can influence the level of stress and anxiety of her child during a hospital stay. Researchers studied 24 mother-child pairs, focusing on the mother's coping skill sets, hospital satisfaction and child's anxiety level. The more effectively a mother could manage her own stress and anxiety during the hospital stay, the lower the child's level of distress. As more hospitals move towards family centered care or look for ways to enhance their efforts, this research underscores the importance of assessing both the child and parent's distress and providing the appropriate support to help both cope during their hospital stay.

What are some of the ways you and your hospital support children and their parents during hospitalizations?

Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

Patient Education

Screening & Assessment

Intervention

Trauma-Informed Care

COVID-19

Resources