Page 46 - Petelin, Ana. 2020. Ed. Zdravje delovno aktivne populacije / Health of the Working-Age Population. Proceedings. Koper: University of Primorska Press.
P. 46
avje delovno aktivne populacije | health of the working-age population 44 Results and discussion
The type of studies included in this review are observational (A1), cross- sec-
tional (A2 and A3), qualitative exploratory interview (A4) and a systematic re-
view of the literature (A5). All studies focused on parents of hospitalized chil-
dren due to a variety of diseases, such as cancer, respiratory diseases, amongst
others. Samples of the studies range from 17 to 460 parents. All the five studies
present coping strategies used by parents of hospitalized children to deal with
their struggles. Results were categorized and presented according to four dif-
ferent themes:
Parental anxiety
The A2 study highlights that the number of hospitalizations and the mother’s
anxiety had a negative impact in the caregiving performance while the moth-
er-child relationship, if shown to be healthy, has a positive impact in the moth-
er’s caregiving performance. Also, this relationship, proved to positively im-
pact the mother’s anxiety. Melnyk (2000) corroborates these ideas stating that
heightened anxiety often inhibits mothers from parenting their children effec-
tively during hospitalization. Therefore, they are less likely to fulfill their pro-
tective, nurturing, and decision-making roles. In view of this, paediatric nurs-
es need to plan interventions to minimize mother’s anxiety and uncertainties
regarding her child’s illness, plan of care and prognosis, which should improve
her effectiveness as a caregiver.
Sleep quality
The A4 study states that enough sleep is vital for parental functioning while
they stay in the hospital with their children. As parents’ priority is their child’s
well-being, they focus on the child, putting their own needs aside. Poor sleep
makes parents more irritable with one another and understanding information
and making healthcare decisions becomes challenging. Additionally, it is diffi-
cult to maintain a positive attitude and bright thought about the future, mak-
ing the stay at the hospital more difficult to manage.
Environmental, interpersonal and organizational factors intervene in the
quality of sleep. From the environmental perspective, parents reported that
sounds from the hospital machines and noises of nurses during the night inter-
fere with their sleep. Regarding interpersonal factors, parents who had relatives
with whom they could share the child’s care described it as an opportunity
to catch up with their sleep. Accounting for the organizational factors, par-
ents mentioned bureaucracy as an aspect that could develop stress and frustra-
tion even before time of admission. Løyland et al, (2020) validates these find-
ings as they declare that the cohabiting with others, lack of privacy, noise and
light when trying to sleep, disruptions due to treatments and child related and
family factors affect parents’ sleeping patterns. Sleep quality is also jeopardized
The type of studies included in this review are observational (A1), cross- sec-
tional (A2 and A3), qualitative exploratory interview (A4) and a systematic re-
view of the literature (A5). All studies focused on parents of hospitalized chil-
dren due to a variety of diseases, such as cancer, respiratory diseases, amongst
others. Samples of the studies range from 17 to 460 parents. All the five studies
present coping strategies used by parents of hospitalized children to deal with
their struggles. Results were categorized and presented according to four dif-
ferent themes:
Parental anxiety
The A2 study highlights that the number of hospitalizations and the mother’s
anxiety had a negative impact in the caregiving performance while the moth-
er-child relationship, if shown to be healthy, has a positive impact in the moth-
er’s caregiving performance. Also, this relationship, proved to positively im-
pact the mother’s anxiety. Melnyk (2000) corroborates these ideas stating that
heightened anxiety often inhibits mothers from parenting their children effec-
tively during hospitalization. Therefore, they are less likely to fulfill their pro-
tective, nurturing, and decision-making roles. In view of this, paediatric nurs-
es need to plan interventions to minimize mother’s anxiety and uncertainties
regarding her child’s illness, plan of care and prognosis, which should improve
her effectiveness as a caregiver.
Sleep quality
The A4 study states that enough sleep is vital for parental functioning while
they stay in the hospital with their children. As parents’ priority is their child’s
well-being, they focus on the child, putting their own needs aside. Poor sleep
makes parents more irritable with one another and understanding information
and making healthcare decisions becomes challenging. Additionally, it is diffi-
cult to maintain a positive attitude and bright thought about the future, mak-
ing the stay at the hospital more difficult to manage.
Environmental, interpersonal and organizational factors intervene in the
quality of sleep. From the environmental perspective, parents reported that
sounds from the hospital machines and noises of nurses during the night inter-
fere with their sleep. Regarding interpersonal factors, parents who had relatives
with whom they could share the child’s care described it as an opportunity
to catch up with their sleep. Accounting for the organizational factors, par-
ents mentioned bureaucracy as an aspect that could develop stress and frustra-
tion even before time of admission. Løyland et al, (2020) validates these find-
ings as they declare that the cohabiting with others, lack of privacy, noise and
light when trying to sleep, disruptions due to treatments and child related and
family factors affect parents’ sleeping patterns. Sleep quality is also jeopardized
