Role Perception of Mothers Who Have Hospitalized Children

Abstract

Childhood illness and hospitalization are stressful events for a family. Minimizing the trauma of hospitalization for children and their parents is a goal for health care workers in pediatric settings. This study examined the way in which mothers perceive their role in caring for their hospitalized children. Communication between the nurse and mother concerning that role was also explored. Results showed that the majority of mothers prefer to perform many child-care activities for their hospitalized children. However, relatively few mothers reported that they had received any communication regarding their role with their child from the staff.

016–Congruency Between Parents' Actual and Desired Participation in the Care of Their Hospitalized Child.

“…Webb et al(1985) found that 43% of parents either did or felt they could do a dressing change, while Hill identified that 38% of mothers wanted to do this care. The proportion of parents who were willing to give oral medication ranged from 60% in Algren's (1985)study to 89% in Hill's study. Kristensson-Hallstrom and Elander, and Webb et al reported that overall, parents believed that they could have provided more care than they actually did provide.…”

“…Several researchers have used checklists of child care activities to identify activities parents participate in or in which they would like to participate (Algren, 1985;Blower, & Morgan, 2000;Hill, 1978;Jackson, Bradham, & Burwell, 1978;Kristensson-Hallstrom, & Elander, 1994;Merrow, & Johnson, 1968;Webb, Hull, & Madeley, 1985).…”

“…Jackson, Bradham and Burwell (1978) reported choosing the 11 items on their checklist according to the items in which Merrow (1964, as cited in Jackson, Bradham & Burwell 1978 found parents most willing to participate. Algren (1985) adapted her tool from Merrow and Johnson's list, but did not specify the nature of the adaptations or why she felt they were necessary. Webb et al (1985) used a list of 31 nursing procedures that they stated was compiled by the General Nursing…”

“…In a qualitative study, Paliadelis et al(2005) found that nurses were less comfortable with parents giving oral medications and changing dressings than they were with participation in ADL care. Brown and Ritchie (1990) conducted a descriptive study using the same checklist employed in previous studies of parents (Algren, 1985;Merrow & Johnson, 1968). They asked nurses to identify activities in which they felt a parent could participate.…”

“…Parents reported that it was not always made clear to them what they could and could not do for their child, as discussions about parent participation rarely occurred between parents and nurses (Algren, 1985;Blower & Morgan, 2000;Darbyshire, 1994;Kristensson-Hallstrom & Elander, 1997). Darbyshire (1994) described how parents learned limits through trial and error, a chastening experience for them.…”