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Attention, coping, and activity in children undergoing orthopaedic surgery
L L LaMontagne1, J E Johnson, J T Hepworth
1Vanderbilt University School of Nursing, Nashville, TN 37240-0008, USA.
Research in Nursing & Health
|December 16, 1997
Summary
Children focusing on concrete surgery details coped better and recovered faster. Vague attention was linked to poorer outcomes, highlighting the importance of focused attention for pediatric surgical recovery.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Surgical Recovery
- Child Health
Background:
- Preoperative focus of attention influences children's surgical recovery.
- Understanding coping mechanisms is crucial for pediatric patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between children's preoperative attention focus, coping strategies, and postoperative recovery.
- To identify how different attention foci (concrete-objective, emotion, vague) impact return to usual activities.
Main Methods:
- 97 children (ages 8-17) undergoing major orthopaedic surgery were studied.
- Data collected preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively.
- Attention focus classified as concrete-objective, emotion, or vague.
Main Results:
- Concrete-objective attention correlated with the best activity outcomes.
- Emotion-focused attention showed moderate outcomes; vague attention had the least favorable outcomes.
- Vigilant copers with concrete-objective focus demonstrated the most positive outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Focusing on concrete surgical aspects aids pediatric recovery and coping.
- Vague attention is associated with poorer postoperative activity outcomes.
- Targeted attention strategies may improve recovery for children undergoing surgery.