Self-reported fears of hospitalized school-age children

This research examines the fears of 82 hospitalized school-age children 8 to 11 years of age as self-reported on the Child Medical Fear Scale (CMFS) (Broome, Hellier, Wilson, Dale, & Glanville, 1988). The variables of age, gender, yearly income level, health status (acute or chronic), and the score on the Trait scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC), (Spielberger, Edwards, Lushene, Montuori & Platzek, 1973) were examined. Fear of separation from the family, having shots and finger sticks, having to stay in the hospital for a long time, and being told that something was wrong with them were the fears with highest mean scores. Children with higher trait anxiety and from families with lower yearly income reported a higher amount of fear. Pediatric nurses are encouraged to perform fear assessments and provide individualized interventions that anticipate fear reactions in order to assist school-age children to cope with sources of fears during hospitalization.