The stress-reducing effects of art in pediatric health care: art preferences of healthy children and hospitalized children Eisen, S. L., Ulrich, R. S., Shepley, M. M., Varni, J. W., Sherman, S. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000 Art is assumed to possess therapeutic benefits of healing for children, as part of patient-focused design in health care. Since the psychological and physiological well-being of children in health care settings is extremely important in contributing to the healing process, it is vitally important to identify what type of art supports stress reduction. Based on adult studies, nature art was anticipated to be the most preferred and to have stress-reducing effects on pediatric patients. Nature art refers to art images dominated by natural vegetation, flowers or water. The objective of this study was to investigate what type of art image children prefer, and what type of art image has potentially stress-reducing effects on children in hospitals. This study used a three-phase, multi-method approach with children aged 5—17 years: a focus group study (129 participants), a randomized study (48 participants), and a quasi-experimental study design (48 participants). Findings were evaluated from three phases. Fear in children with cancer: observations at an outpatient visit Anderzen Carlsson, A., Sorlie, V., Gustafsson, K., Olsson, M., Kihlgren, M. Mon, 04 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0000 The aim of the study was to describe interactions within the family and between them and professionals on a routine visit at a paediatric oncology outpatient clinic where the visiting child was likely to be fearful. Observations were performed. Data were analysed by qualitative content analysis. The behaviours most frequently observed as expressing fear were being quiet, withdrawn or providing detailed descriptions of experiences. Within the theme `Recognition of the fear', an attentive attitude to the fear was traced; fear was confirmed and cooperation was seen. Although many efforts were made to meet the fear, this was not always successful. Within the theme `Lack of attention to the fear', the fear was not in focus due to parental worries and concerns about the child's health, and organizational disturbances. The results can serve as a basis for collegial reflections of how to handle fear in children with cancer.
NPR Topics: Children's Health
Should Babies Get Own Plane Section? Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400 10,000 people voted to create a separate section for parents with babies and small children on the bargain fare Web site, Airfare Watchdog.com. The Web site's creator discusses the feasibility of such an idea. When Adoptees Know Their Biological Mother Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:00:00 -0400 More families are undergoing "open adoptions," meaning children remain in contact with their birth mothers after joining their new families. Findings published in the Journal of Family Psychology confirm that these adoptions are changing the definition of "family." Municipalities Struggle To Adequately Train Social Workers Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:00:00 -0400 In light of the Danieal Kelly case, Tammy Linseisen, a professor at the University of Texas in Austin, and Debra Schilling Wolfe, of the Field Center for Children's Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, talk about training and supporting social workers, and other staff charged with keeping vulnerable children safe from harm.
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