Parental Stress and Satisfaction during Children's Hospitalization: Differences between Immigrant and Autochthonous Population

Abstract

This study explored the relation between parents' stress and satisfaction during children's hospitalization, seeking possible differences between immigrant and autochthonous population and also as a function of gender in a sample of parents of hospitalized children in Andalusia, Spain. A total of 1347 parents participated in this study. Of the sample, 50% were immigrants and the other 50% were autochthonous. The assessment instruments were the Hospitalization Stress Scale and the Satisfaction with Hospitalization Scale. The results show that stress was associated with the manifestations of the child's illness, the alteration of family life or of parental roles during the process and some aspects of the clinical staff's work. General satisfaction in immigrant parents was higher than in the autochthonous population and the levels of satisfaction were higher in men than in women. Small changes and initiatives in relation to care could substantially improve the satisfaction of patients and their relatives during the process of hospitalization.

CONGENITAL HEART DISEASE IN CHILDREN AND ADULTS The emotional reactions of parents to the hospitalization and conservative treatment of children after cardiac surgery in comparison to the parents of children treated for acute infection

“…Similar reactions to hospitalization were also observed in other studies [12,13]. The intensity of the emotional reactions was directly related to the severity of the child's disease, the extent of changes in family functioning, as well as to some aspects of interactions with the medical staff.…”

Reflexos da hospitalização da criança na vida do familiar acompanhante

“…A hospitalização de um ente querido exige reorganização do sistema familiar e, para atender às demandas impostas pelo processo de adoecimento, a família, além de assumir novas atividades, também precisa adaptar-se à mudanças na rotina profissional, pessoal e social (5)(6)9,(14)(15). Na área pediátrica, apesar da hospitalização da criança influenciar a vida de todos os membros de sua família, cada pessoa envolvida nesse processo tem uma experiência singular diretamente relacionada às atividades assumidas pela mesma (5)(6) .…”

Determinants of emotional status, mood, and well-being in patients undergoing laparoscopic surgical treatment

“…Hospitalisation is associated with stress, anxiety, and loneliness. Long-term hospitalisation associated with isolation affects emotionally both the patients and his/ her family [1][2][3][4]. Surgery intensifies these feelings because of additional risk of complications, fear of anaesthesia, and perioperative pain as well as worries about a new and potentially unfavourable diagnosis [5].…”