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[Behavioral pattern and behavioral characteristics of children in two pediatric clinics]
R Frank1, F Berger-Sallawitz, U Frick
1Institut für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, Haunersches Kinderspital München. Reiner.Frank@psy.med.uni-muenchen.de
Insights
This study systematically describes pediatric patient and parent behaviors in hospitals. A validated questionnaire identified similar behavioral patterns across two pediatric hospitals, aiding clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Behavioral Science
- Clinical Assessment
Context:
- Understanding child and parent behavior is crucial in pediatric healthcare settings.
- Standardized behavioral assessment tools are needed for consistent evaluation.
- Previous research has not systematically described these behaviors across diverse pediatric populations.
Purpose:
- To systematically describe and classify patterns of child and parent behavior in pediatric hospitals.
- To evaluate the utility of a novel behavior rating questionnaire administered by nurses.
- To compare behavioral patterns between two distinct pediatric hospital settings.
Summary:
- A behavior rating questionnaire was administered by nurses to 659 children in Munich and 484 in Freiburg.
- Latent class analysis revealed four consistent behavioral profiles (three typical, one disturbed) across both sites, classifying 73-87% of children.
- While results largely corresponded, differences in disturbed child prevalence (25% Munich vs. 39% Freiburg) were linked to hospital type and nurse training.
Impact:
- The validated questionnaire is suitable for routine clinical use in pediatric settings.
- Findings provide a basis for targeted interventions and support for children and families.
- Identified behavioral patterns can inform hospital policies and staff training protocols.
Objectives:
To describe systematically patterns of behavior of children and parents in pediatric hospitals.
Methods:
A questionnaire to systematically rate behavior of children and parents was administered by nurses to two independent samples in two different pediatric hospitals. At the von Haunersches Kinderspital, Klinikum Innenstadt of the Ludwig-Maximilian-University of Munich, 659 children were rated, at the Pediatric Hospital of the University of Freiburg, 484 children. Latent class analysis grouped children/parents according to similar patterns of behavior.
Results:
In Munich a five-class model is most appropriate to classify children/parent behavior, in Freiburg a six-class model best first the data. Four classes in Munich and in Freiburg display nearly identical profiles. Three of them describe inconspicuous behavior of children in different age groups, whereas the fourth group describes disturbed children. These four groups classify 87% of the children in Munich and 73% of those in Freiburg. In Munich 25% of the children are rated as disturbed, as opposed to 39% in Freiburg.
Conclusions:
The questionnaire is suitable for everyday clinical practice. Results of both samples mostly correspond. Remaining differences are caused by type of hospital (pediatrics vs. pediatric surgery) and by the differing depth of nurses' rater training.