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Use of a Projective Technique to Assess Young Children's Appraisal and Coping Responses to a Venipuncture
Author(s) -
Caty Suzanne,
Ellerton Mary Lou,
Ritchie Judith Anne
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal for specialists in pediatric nursing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.499
H-Index - 38
eISSN - 1744-6155
pISSN - 1539-0136
DOI - 10.1111/j.1744-6155.1997.tb00064.x
Subject(s) - venipuncture , coping (psychology) , psychological intervention , psychology , clinical psychology , cognition , cognitive reappraisal , projective test , developmental psychology , medicine , psychiatry , psychoanalysis
purpose . To examine the appraisal, emotional and coping responses of young hospitalized children to three phases of a venipuncture procedure. design . Exploratory, descriptive setting . Pediatric unit of a community hospital participants . Four‐ to 9‐year‐old hospitalized children (N = 45) main outcome measures . Data were obtained by means of a projective technique and interview format. Content analysis of the children's responses was guided by the use of four published measures (appraisal, behavioral coping strategies, cognitive coping strategies, and helpful interventions). results . The children appraised each phase of the venipuncture as a threat, a benefit, or a threat/benefit. The most frequently identified behavioral coping strategies were self‐protective behaviors and returning to normal activities. The most frequently identified cognitive coping behaviors were reality‐oriented working through, emotion‐regulating cognitions, and diversionary thinking. The children reported the most helpful intervention as providing information about the event. conclusion . The children were able, through a projective technique, to appraise a venipuncture and spontaneously identify many cognitive and behavioral coping strategies and interventions to help them manage a venipuncture.