Emotional communication in multicultural pediatric nursing setting: A qualitative study of nurses' perspectives in...

This study explored nurses' perspectives on emotional communication with parents in multicultural pediatric hospital settings.

We used an exploratory qualitative design with ethnographic elements. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with nurses, informed by initial observations, in two pediatric wards offering medical and surgical services. Purposive sampling was employed, and data were analyzed inductively using thematic analysis.

Nurse-parent interactions were largely task-oriented, focusing on clinical care and families' physical needs at the expense of emotional support. When nurses and parents shared cultural or personal backgrounds, strong rapport fostered trust and deeper emotional exchanges. In contrast, language and cultural barriers hindered communication, resulting in misunderstandings and reduced emotional engagement. Nurses also described significant emotional labor, exacerbated by understaffing, high workloads, and the complexities of a multicultural healthcare environment.

Emotional communication in multicultural pediatric settings is influenced by cultural alignment, organizational pressures, and interpersonal rapport. However, systemic and cultural challenges often limit deeper emotional engagement.

To enhance emotional communication, healthcare organizations should implement cultural competence training, bolster staffing levels, and provide structured support for nurses' emotional labor. These measures can promote more holistic, family-centered care in diverse environments.