Systematic Review: A Reevaluation and Update of the Integrative (Trajectory) Model of Pediatric Medical Traumatic Stress

Unstructured play for anxiety in pediatric inpatient care

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of unstructured play activities on the anxiety levels of hospitalized children.

METHODS

A nonequivalent control group pretest posttest design was employed for this study. The sample included children (N = 165) ages 4-7 years admitted to a large pediatric referral center in the United Arab Emirates. The control group (n = 84) received usual care, while the experimental group (n = 81) engaged in age-appropriate unstructured play activities using disposable games and toys. Parents and siblings, if present, were encouraged to participate. Research assistants conducted the play activities twice a day, with 30-min morning and evening sessions. Anxiety was measured at baseline and at the end of days 2 and 3 with a translated form of the Short-State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children.

RESULTS

Anxiety scores in both groups were similar at baseline and decreased significantly over the 3 days. Compared with the control group, anxiety scores in the intervention group were significantly lower on day 2 (12.7 ± 2.3 vs. 10.7 ± 2.5, p = .003) and day 3 (10.6 ± 2.2 vs. 9.47 ± 2.4, p < .001). The greatest decrease occurred in the percentage of children in the experimental group with medium-level anxiety scores: baseline (n = 61, 75%), day 2 (n = 24, 30%), and day 3 (n = 0, 0%).

CONCLUSIONS

This simple, low-cost play intervention implemented by nurses resulted in statistically and clinically significant decreases in the anxiety levels of children in an acute inpatient setting.

Parents' Romantic Attachment Predicts Family Ritual Meaning and Family Cohesion Among Parents and Their Children With Cancer

Objective

Family functioning is associated with adaptation in pediatric illness. This study examines the role of parents’ relationships (specifically romantic attachment) as a predictor of family ritual meaning and family cohesion for parents and their children with cancer.

Methods

The dyads, 58 partnered Portuguese parents and their children in treatment, reported on family ritual meaning and family cohesion at Time 1 (T1) and after 6 months (T2). Parents also completed the questionnaire assessing romantic attachment at T1.

Results

Parents’ avoidant attachment, but not anxious attachment, predicted lower family ritual meaning and family cohesion after 6 months. T2 family ritual meaning mediated the relationship between T1 avoidant attachment and T2 family cohesion.

Conclusions

Parents’ avoidant attachment may have a negative effect on family functioning in parents and children. Clinical intervention to address avoidant attachment or/and to promote family ritual meaning may help strengthen family ties.

Medically Related Post-traumatic Stress in Children and Adolescents with Congenital Heart Defects

Children and adolescents with a congenital heart defect (ConHD) frequently undergo painful or frightening medical procedures and hospitalizations. They often need multiple invasive procedures at a very young age and require regular checkups during their entire life. From other pediatric populations, it is known that these kinds of experiences can result in acute stress reactions and even in post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in the long-term. PTSD and also subthreshold PTSD can lead to serious (psychosocial) impairment. However, limited information is available about PTSD in children with ConHD. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a summary of the current literature on post-traumatic stress (PTS) in children and adolescents with ConHD describing the prevalence of PTSD and its predictors/correlates. This review indicates that a range of 12-31% of children undergoing cardiac surgery develop PTSD. A range of 12-14% shows elevated post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS). These findings are comparable to those of hospitalized children without ConHD. Noteworthy, most studies used varying self-report questionnaires to measure PTSD and only one study used a semistructured interview. Although all studies point in the same direction of elevated PTSD and PTSS, systematic research is necessary to be able to draw firm conclusions. At present, as far as we know, in most clinics treating patients with ConHD, there is no regular screening for PTS in children with ConHD. In the reviewed literature, there is strong consensus that screening for PTSS and (preventive) psychological care for children and adolescents with ConHD is urgently needed.

Application of a Framework to Implement Trauma-Informed Care Throughout a Pediatric Health Care Network

INTRODUCTION

To evaluate the initial application of a recently published three-step framework for implementing trauma-informed care (TIC) in a pediatric health care network by applying Framework for Spread.

METHODS

In steps 1 and 2 of the framework, we established commitment from the health care network leadership and initial interest in TIC among clinical providers (step 1), set evidence-based training goals and created the associated TIC training content (step 2). In step 3, 440 health care professionals (from 27 health care teams) participated in single-session, 1-hour training that covered the psychological impact of injury- and illness-related trauma, identification of traumatic stress symptoms, and how to respond to children exposed to potentially traumatic events. A concomitant quality improvement project allowed us to assess potential changes in training participants' favorable attitudes toward the integration of TIC and confidence in delivering TIC.

RESULTS

Compared with pretraining, participants demonstrated increases in attitude toward TIC, t(293) = 5.8, P < .001, Cohen's d = 0.32, and confidence in delivering TIC, t(293) = 20.9, P < .001, Cohen's d = 1.09.

DISCUSSION

Trainings were effective in achieving proximal goals targeting attitudes and confidence, thereby demonstrating the feasibility and clinical relevance of TIC training when implemented according to the three-step framework. Future research should examine methods of training to reach wide audiences to promote systematic change and evaluate changes in patient outcomes associated with providers' implementation of TIC.

Healthcare Professionals' Preferences and Perceived Barriers for Routine Assessment of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Pediatric Oncology Practice: Moving Toward International Processes of Change

BACKGROUND

Using patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in clinical practice has been shown to enhance detection of health-related quality of life problems and satisfaction with care in children with cancer. This study seeks to identify which PRO information healthcare professionals (HCPs) find useful and what the perceived barriers for routinely assessing PROs are.

PROCEDURE

A total of 352 pediatric HCPs (43% male) from 52 countries completed a semistructured online 28-item questionnaire. Descriptive statistics (percentages) were used to identify highly important PRO information and perceived barriers. HCPs' perceived barriers were compared according to gender, years of work experience, and country using a Fishers exact test.

RESULTS

The five highest ranked PRO topics relevant in routine assessment by HCPs were as follows: pain (98%), feeling sad or depressed (96%), overall physical symptoms (95%), problems with therapy adherence (94%), and overall emotional issues (93%). Five lowest ranked topics were as follows: difficulties praying (50%), other spiritual concerns (55, 56, and 60%), and feeling bored (60%). Barriers for assessing PROs included: time (58%), insufficient staff (49%), logistics (32%), and financial resources (26%). Providers from developing countries more often reported barriers concerning insufficient staff, logistics, and financial resources.

CONCLUSIONS

HCPs strongly value the use of physical and psychosocial PROs within pediatric oncology practice, but mainly perceive organizational barriers for routine assessment. To successfully integrate PROs, efforts should be made to address HCP-perceived barriers, such that patient-reported problems can be detected and timely referrals made.

Estresse precoce no desenvolvimento: impactos na saúde e mecanismos de proteção

Resumo Este artigo tem por objetivo, primeiramente, apresentar uma abordagem do desenvolvimento na área de saúde da criança, focalizando modelos teórico-conceituais sobre o impacto do estresse precoce no desenvolvimento e na saúde. Em segundo lugar, busca apresentar pesquisas na área de Psicologia Pediátrica, que foram realizadas no âmbito de um hospital universitário público, com neonatos e crianças hospitalizadas, cujas condições clínicas ou de tratamento médico envolviam situações altamente estressoras. O artigo trata dos principais modelos teórico-conceituais sobre estresse precoce com impacto no desenvolvimento e na saúde, a saber: Sameroff; Evans e Wachs; Shonkoff; e Kazak. As pesquisas, por sua vez, abordam a exposição a estressores durante a hospitalização de neonatos e crianças, bem como suas mães, e intervenções preventivas para manejo de estresse e/ou dor. Ao final do artigo, é apresentado um modelo com diretrizes para promover a transferência de evidências científicas para a prática clínica, visando implementar mudanças no âmbito hospitalar.

Health-related quality of life and mental health in parents of children with hemolytic uremic syndrome

BACKGROUND

Little is known about health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health of parents having children with a history of hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS).

METHODS

This study included 63 mothers and 58 fathers of a cohort of 63 HUS-affected children. At assessment, the mean time since a child experienced an acute episode of HUS was 6.4 years. Parental HRQoL, mental health and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) were assessed with standardized self-report questionnaires. Medical data were extracted from patients' hospital records.

RESULTS

The HRQoL and mental health of both the mothers and fathers were not impaired compared to normative data. However, a shorter time since a child's acute HUS episode was a significant predictor of lower HRQoL among the mothers, while no such effect was found among the fathers. Two fathers (3%), but no mothers, met the criteria for a diagnosis of HUS-related full PTSD; one father (2%) and four mothers (6%) met the criteria for a diagnosis of HUS-related partial PTSD.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that most parents of our study sample were doing well in terms of HRQoL and mental health, although a small number met the criteria for full or partial PTSD diagnosis due to their child's HUS. We therefore recommend that healthcare providers pay special attention to parents regarding PTSD symptoms during the clinical follow-up of a HUS-affected child since some parents may benefit from psychological support.

A novel adaptation of a parent-child observational assessment tool for appraisals and coping in children exposed to acute trauma

BACKGROUND

Millions of children worldwide are exposed to acute potentially traumatic events (PTEs) annually. Many children and their families experience significant emotional distress and/or functional impairment following PTEs. While current research has begun to highlight a role for early appraisals and coping in promoting or preventing full recovery from PTEs, the exact nature of the relationships among appraisals, coping, and traumatic stress reactions as well as how appraisals and coping behaviors are influenced by the child's environment (e.g., parents) remains unclear; assessment tools that reach beyond self-report are needed to improve this understanding.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the current study is to describe the newly created Trauma Ambiguous Situations Tool (TAST; i.e., an observational child-parent interview and discussion task that allows assessment of appraisals, coping, and parent-child processes) and to report on initial feasibility and validation of TAST implemented with child-parent dyads in which children were exposed to a PTE.

METHOD

As part of a larger study on the role of biopsychosocial factors in posttraumatic stress reactions, children (aged 8-13) and parents (n=25 child-parent dyads) completed the TAST during the child's hospitalization for injury.

RESULTS

Children and parents engaged well with the TAST. The time to administer the TAST was feasible, even in a peri-trauma context. The TAST solicited a wide array of appraisals (threat and neutral) and coping solutions (proactive and avoidant). Forced-choice and open-ended appraisal assessments provided unique information. The parent-child discussion portion of the TAST allowed for direct observation of parent-child processes and demonstrated parental influence on children's appraisals and coping solutions.

CONCLUSIONS

The TAST is a promising new research tool, which may help to explicate how parents influence their child's developing appraisals and coping solutions following a PTE. More research should examine the relationships of appraisals, coping, and parent-child processes assessed by the TAST with traumatic stress outcomes.