Showing papers in "Journal of Pediatric Psychology in 1987"

An Observation Scale for Measuring Children's Distress During Medical Procedures

Abstract: The current state-of-the-art in the area of assessing pain and anxiety experienced by children undergoing painful medical procedures remains at a rudimentary level. Early studies in the preparation literature included global Likert-type rating scales of children’s distress and cooperative behaviors (Visintainer & Wolfer, 1975; Wolfer & Visintainer, 1979). More recent studies have focused on the development of more objective and operationalized behavioral observation scales which have been used specifically to measure distress in pediatric cancer patients undergoing bone marrow aspirations (BMAs) and lumbar punctures (LPs) (Jay, in press; Jay & Elliott, 1984; Jay, Ozolins, Elliott, & Caldwell, 1983; Katz, Kellerman, & Siegel, 1980; LeBaron & Zeltzer, 1984). For example, Katz et al. (1980) developed the Procedure Behavior Rating Scale (PBRS) which consisted of 13 operationally defined behaviors that were recorded as present or absent during bone marrow aspirations. The PBRS was found to be a reliable instrument and preliminary validity data (i.e., nurse ratings) were also encouraging. LeBaron and Zeltzer (1984) presented additional validity data on an eight-item version of the PBRS which they labeled the Procedure Behavior Check List.

Comprehensive Assessment of Pain in Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis: An Empirical Model

Abstract: A comprehensive assessment model of variables hypothesized to influence pediatric pain perception was empirically investigated in 23 families who had a child with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. To determine the effects of family environment, child psychological adjustment, and disease parameters on child pain perception, a developmental^ appropriate model was developed. Children between the ages of 5 and 15 were found to be reliable judges of their pain intensity. Several family environmental and child psychological factors were found to interact with specific disease parameters in determining pediatric pain perception and report. A multidimensional age-appropriate assessment model is suggested for use in the further examination of pediatric chronic and recurrent pain.

Resilience in Children at High Risk for Psychological Disorder

Abstract: This longitudinal study examined factors related to healthy adjustment in young children who had experienced conditions and stresses known to carry a substantial risk of adverse outcome. Psychological adjustment of 109 children at age 6 to 7 years was examined for its relationship to infancy risk status, determined at age I month by means of a multifactor screen assessing perinatal stress, psychological problems and stresses in the family, maternal attitudes toward self and parenthood, and maternal perceptions of infant temperament. Several variables believed to mediate outcome for high-risk children were studied, including subsequent stressful life events, social support available to child and mother, and child's locus of control orientation. Interactions between predictor variables showed that life events magnify synergistically the adverse effects of infancy risk factors, and social support and internal control orientation potently buffer the effects of risk and stress. Considered jointly in conjunction with their interactions, the predictor variables were strongly predictive of outcome, explaining 56% of the variance observed in behavior problems and 64% of the variance in school problems.

Promoting Child Passenger Safety: A Comparison of Two Positive Methods

Abstract: This investigation examined the comparative influence on increasing usage of child safety devices (CSD) by rewarding children for their use of the devices and by informing parents about possible improved behavior exhibited by children when they are buckled up. The subjects were children aged 6 months through 6 years at two day care centers. The mean age of the children was 3.8 years at Center I and 3.7 years at Center II. Observations of safety device use were conducted when children arrived at the centers in the morning. Four stages of the study were implemented at each center with sequential combinations of conditions: Baseline, Reward, Behavioral Improvement Emphasis, and Return to Baseline. The procedure of informing parents about possible improved behavior exhibited by secured children had minimal effect on increasing the number of children in CSDs. However, rewarding children for their uses of CSDs significantly influenced usage. Rewarding children for being in CSDs also positively influenced driver rates of seat belt use.