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Journal of Undergraduate Research

Keywords

child hospitalization, behavioral changes, dependency behaviors, maintaining relationships

College

Nursing

Abstract

In an effort to improve nursing practice with children, this study looked at the long-term effects and memories of childhood hospitalization on adults. In young children, common behavioral changes observed include; initial aloofness toward parents followed by dependency behaviors, nightmares or new fears, resistance to going to bed and waking up during the night, withdrawal, shyness, etc. (Wong & Perry, 1998). These behaviors though temporarily displayed, may have long-term consequences. For example, the hospitalization may ultimately lead to the individual experiencing difficulty with strange environments, forming attachments with peers, and maintaining relationships. On the other hand, this stressful environment can lead to the child developing positive coping strategies towards stress that may in fact have a beneficial effect on them in their future. This particular study investigated the questions of whether or not childhood hospitalization has long-term effects, and if those effects are beneficial or detrimental; how nurses contribute to the positive or negative outcome the patient experiences; and what the differences of general hospitals and children’s hospitals are. With the results, nurses and hospitals can integrate findings into their own interventions to improve their care to children.

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