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Depressive symptomatology in hospitalised children
Insights
Hospitalisation for orthopaedic procedures in black South African children is linked to depressive symptoms. Support programs are crucial, especially for children isolated from family and community due to health services and socio-economic factors.
Area of Science:
- Child Psychology
- Pediatric Health
- Mental Health in Children
Background:
- Hospitalisation for orthopaedic procedures can impact children's mental well-being.
- Understanding depressive symptoms in pediatric patients is critical for effective care.
- Social factors may exacerbate the risk of depression during hospitalisation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the prevalence and characteristics of depressive symptoms in black South African children undergoing orthopaedic procedures.
- To investigate social factors contributing to depression risk in hospitalised children.
- To compare adult and child self-ratings of depression.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 30 black South African children (aged 6-12 years) participated.
- Pre- and post-test assessments included structured interviews and psychometric instruments.
- Instruments used: Global Mood Scale, Depressive Symptoms Checklist, Hospital Fears Rating Scale, Self Report Depression Rating Scale.
Main Results:
- A significant proportion of children exhibited high depressive symptomatology two weeks post-admission.
- Discrepancies were observed between adult (ward sisters) and child self-reported depression levels.
- Hospitalisation for orthopaedic conditions was associated with the development of depressive symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Hospitalisation for orthopaedic procedures is a risk factor for depressive symptomatology in children.
- Supportive interventions are recommended to enhance children's coping mechanisms during hospitalisation.
- Special attention should be given to children facing isolation due to centralised health services and socio-economic challenges.
Abstract:
This study was undertaken to determine the extent and nature of depressive symptoms exhibited by black South African children during hospitalisation for orthopaedic procedures. Social factors associated with the risk for depression, in response to hospitalisation, were also examined. Pre- and post-test assessments were conducted on a sample of 30 children, aged between 6 and 12 years. The assessment entailed a structured interview, together with the following psychometric instruments: A Global Mood Scale, a Depressive Symptoms Checklist, a Hospital Fears Rating Scale and a Self Report Depression Rating Scale. A large proportion of the children were rated by ward sisters as showing high levels of depressive symptomatology two weeks after admission to hospital. As expected, discrepancies were found between adult and child self-ratings of depression. The results of this study indicate that hospitalisation for orthopaedic child patients is associated with the development of depressive symptomatology. It is suggested that emphasis be placed on the development of supportive programmes and procedures aimed at maximising children's coping responses to hospitalisation, particularly for children who find themselves isolated from their communities and families, as a result of both centralised health services and poor socio-economic conditions.