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Siblings of hospitalized children: assessment and intervention
1College of Nursing, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Insights
Children hospitalized siblings face risks, especially younger ones experiencing changes or feeling neglected. Early assessment and nursing interventions are crucial to prevent long-term negative effects for these vulnerable children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Nursing
- Child Psychology
- Family Health
Background:
- Hospitalization of a sibling significantly impacts a child's well-being.
- Understanding the challenges faced by these children is essential for effective care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize issues faced by children with a recently hospitalized sibling.
- To present research findings on the sibling experience.
- To outline assessment and intervention strategies for siblings.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research.
- Identification of risk factors for adverse effects in siblings.
Main Results:
- Younger siblings experiencing changes, perceived parental differential treatment, lack of information, and non-relative care are at highest risk.
- Specific risk factors identified contributing to adverse outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Nurses must assess siblings of hospitalized children for potential adverse effects.
- Timely nursing interventions are necessary to mitigate short-term stress and prevent long-term sequelae.
Abstract:
The issues faced by children who have had a sibling recently hospitalized are summarized in this report. In addition, the research findings about this sibling experience as well as assessment and intervention strategies for siblings are presented. Craft and Knafl and their colleagues have found that the siblings who are at the greatest risk for adverse effects are younger and experiencing many changes, perceive their parents to be treating them differently as compared with before their sibling's hospitalization, have received little information about their ill brother or sister, and are being cared for outside of the home by care providers who are not relatives. Nurses need to assess siblings and intervene as indicated to ensure that the effects of short-term stress do not initiate adverse long-term sequelae.