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Levels of anxiety in parents in the 24 hr before and after their child's surgery: A descriptive study

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  • Laura Pomicino
  • Elena Maccacari
  • Sara Buchini

Abstract

Aims and objectives To (i) investigate pre‐ and postoperative anxiety levels in parents of surgical patients; (ii) identify factors that affect parental anxiety; and (iii) analyse assistance provided and overall parental satisfaction to assess whether and how this aspect can impact their anxiety level. Background Surgery as an event generates anxiety in children and their parents. Children who are anxious before surgery are likely to develop more postoperative psychological and physiological complications than those who are not. The role parents play in influencing emotional states of their children has been well demonstrated. However, specific national programmes aimed at helping parents develop new models for coping are relatively inexistent in Italy. Study design Longitudinal study. Methods One hundred and one parents of children undergoing surgery at a healthcare facility in Padua, Italy, completed the Italian version of the State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory Form Y questionnaire. They also answered questions about their parents' socio‐demographic situation, the amount and quality of preoperative information received, assistance provided and their overall satisfaction with this information. Results The preoperative level of anxiety in parents who were interviewed was higher than Italian normative data, especially in Pediatric Cardiac Surgery and Pediatric Urology departments. Mothers had a significantly higher level of anxiety than fathers. Communicating possible complications of surgical procedures increased anxiety, while providing information about pre‐ and postsurgery nutrition and pain management and providing local anaesthetic on children decreased parental anxiety. Parents expressed a sufficiently high level of satisfaction although they defined the hospital environment as uncomfortable. Conclusions Aspects of care that can make hospitalisation less traumatic for parents are as follows: greater support, involving them in the treatment process, improving hospital department admission procedures and providing thorough preoperative information. Relevance to clinical practice Healthcare professionals are encouraged to pay attention to communication modalities providing detailed information to parents.

Suggested Citation

  • Laura Pomicino & Elena Maccacari & Sara Buchini, 2018. "Levels of anxiety in parents in the 24 hr before and after their child's surgery: A descriptive study," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(1-2), pages 278-287, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:wly:jocnur:v:27:y:2018:i:1-2:p:278-287
    DOI: 10.1111/jocn.13895
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wendy Fincher & Jane Shaw & Anne‐Sylvie Ramelet, 2012. "The effectiveness of a standardised preoperative preparation in reducing child and parent anxiety: a single‐blind randomised controlled trial," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 21(7‐8), pages 946-955, April.
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    1. Dariusz Fenikowski & Lucyna Tomaszek, 2022. "Factors Related to Anxiety in Paediatric Patients and Their Parents before and after a Modified Ravitch Procedure—A Single-Centre Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-17, December.

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