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An experimental evaluation of a model child life program
Insights
A systematic child life program significantly improved outcomes for hospitalized children aged 3-13. Participants showed better stress management, coping, adjustment, and surgical recovery compared to controls.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Child Development
- Healthcare Interventions
Background:
- Hospitalization presents significant stressors for children.
- Child life programs aim to mitigate these stressors.
- Evidence for systematic program impact requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically develop and test a model child life program.
- To evaluate the program's impact on hospitalized children's stress, coping, adjustment, and surgical recovery.
Main Methods:
- A quasiexperimental design was employed.
- An experimental group (N=68) participated in the model child life program.
- A control group (N=160) did not receive the full program.
Main Results:
- Children in the child life program scored significantly better on 18 of 21 outcome variables.
- Positive impacts were observed in stress, coping, adjustment, and surgical recovery.
- The program demonstrated a significant positive effect.
Conclusions:
- Systematic child life care positively impacts hospitalized children.
- The developed model program is effective in improving child well-being during hospitalization.
- Findings support the integration of structured child life services.
Abstract:
A model child life program for hospitalized children between the ages of 3 and 13 was systematically developed and tested on a large number of stress, coping, adjustment, and surgical recovery variables. The results indicated that children who participated in the experimental program (N = 68) scored significantly better on 18 of the 21 outcome variables than did control children (N = 160) who did not participate in a full child life program. As in previous research and within the limitations of a quasiexperimental design, the results suggest that this type of systematic child life care has a significant, positive impact on hospitalized children.