The development and validation of a behavior rating scale for blood sampling with children

This article describes the development of a behavior rating scale, which was designed to measure children's behaviors during a blood sampling procedure. Trained observers were able to reliably use the behavior rating scale while observing children's behaviors during blood sampling in a pediatric hospital. Evidence of the instrument's validity was found in a treatment study. In that experiment, youngsters were prepared for the blood sampling procedures by viewing films. Those watching coping or mastery models before blood sampling evidenced significantly higher adaptive responses on the behavior rating scale than those who watched a control film. The behavior rating scale was also significantly related to a global rating and a self-report measure, but not to a physiologic index of anxiety. In summary, the constructed behavior rating scale appears to be a reliable and valid instrument for assessing children's behavior during blood sampling procedures.