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The Effects of Gender on the Coping Outcomes of Young Children Following an Unanticipated Critical Care Hospitalization
Author(s) -
Small Leigh,
Mazurek Melnyk Bernadette,
SidoraArcoleo Kimberly
Publication year - 2009
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.1744-6155.2009.00184.x
Subject(s) - coping (psychology) , coping behavior , psychology , clinical psychology , medicine , developmental psychology
PURPOSE. A prior evaluation of the predictors of child coping outcomes following an unanticipated critical hospitalization revealed gender differences, which were explored in this study to examine patterns of behavioral change over time.DESIGN AND METHODS. Data from 163 mother–child (2–7 years) dyads were extracted for this study. Measures of child coping obtained 3 and 6 months following hospitalization included the Behavioral Assessment System for Children and the Post‐Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire.RESULTS. Maladaptive behaviors in girls increased throughout the 6‐month posthospitalization period. Boys demonstrated a peak and then decline of those same behaviors.PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Given this information, gender‐specific child coping information can be developed for parents, which may lead to improved child outcomes.