Effect of Psychological Preparation on Coping Strategies of children Undergoing Endoscopy

Abstract

Background: Nowadays endoscopies become routine clinical procedures which produce intense anxiety, stress and dissatisfaction for children. Purpose: to evaluate the effect of psychological preparation on coping strategies of children undergoing endoscopy. Research design: A quasi experimental design. It was conducted at endoscopy unit of National Liver Institute Menoufia University. Sample: A convenient sample of 22 children who had liver diseases and undergoing endoscopy. Instruments: five data collection instruments were used; characteristics structured questionnaire, Physiological evaluation sheet, Children's Coping Strategies Checklist (CCSC), Spielberg State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (SSTAI) and Model for End Stage Liver Disease (MELD) Score.Results: there was highly statistical significant difference in coping between study and control group on posttests (p.001). As well, there was highly statistical significant difference in anxiety level between study and control group on posttest (p.01). Conclusion: children in the study group who are engaged in psychological preparation exhibited more effective coping strategies, lower anxiety level on posttests than patients in the control group. Recommendations:The study recommended that psychological preparation should be importantly integrated in endoscopic units as a routine care to enhance children ' coping strategies and lower the negative consequences of this stressful experience.