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Sixty children about to undergo elective surgery for hernias, tonsillectomies, or urinary-genital tract difficulties were shown on hospital admission either a relevant peer modeling film of a child being hospitalized and receiving surgery or an unrelated control film. Both groups received extensive preparation by the hospital staff. State measures of anxiety, including self-report, behavioral observation, and Palmar Sweat Index, revealed a significant reduction of preoperative (night before) and postoperative (3-4 week postsurgery examination) fear arousal in the experimental as compared to the control film group. The parents reported a significant posthospital increment in the frequency of behavior problems in the children who had not seen the modeling film. Trait measures of anxiety did not reflect the group differences due to the hospital experience.

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Addressed, in two studies, issues of children's medical anxiety having implications for efficient psychological preparation. Study 1 assessed behavioral distress and physiological arousal of 4- to 10-year-old, unprepared, nonsedated children (N = 50) as they separated from parents, waited in the operating room, and were given general anesthesia for minor surgery. Anxiety intensity varied widely among children and was most intense at mask presentation. Mother's prediction of uncooperative behavior and a history of prior surgery were the best predictors. Study 2 examined anxiety of 37 children prior to surgery and behavior changes 2 weeks later. At follow-up, minor or transient problems were common; 4 children developed significant problems. Elevated presurgical anxiety predicted later problems, but only among children hospitalized after surgery. Findings suggest that presurgical anxiety and later behavior problems are partially predictable.