Pediatric procedural approach-avoidance coping and distress: a multitrait-multimethod analysis

To evaluate the construct validity of children's approach-avoidance coping and distress during immunizations, and to examine the instruments used to assess these domains.

We used a multitrait-multimethod matrix to examine the validity of the approach-avoidance coping and distress constructs for 62 4- to 6-year-old children receiving immunization injections. Assessment instruments of both constructs consisted of child, parent, and nurse ratings, and three behavior observation scales.

Pediatric procedural distress demonstrated adequate convergent and discriminant validity, and it can be assessed in a valid manner. Whereas most approach-avoidance measures demonstrated good convergent validity, several measures did not adequately distinguish between avoidance and distress.

It is possible that children's approach-avoidance coping may be qualitatively different than adult's approach-avoidance. Researchers should be cognizant of these differences when designing treatments for child procedural distress.