Abstract
Using the example of a voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG), a painful radiological procedure, this study investigated whether parental soothing behavior (reassuring comments like “it’s almost over” or “You’re O.K.” and soothing by “sh, sh”) in one phase of the procedure influenced the child’s distress in the following phase. The sample was comprised of 68 2–8 year-old children and the accompanying parent(s). Child and parental behavior during the VCUG was coded using a standardized rating scale (CAMPIS-R). Parental reassurance during the anticipatory phase significantly increased the child’s distress of the following phase, while parental “sh, sh” significantly reduced it. Both parental behaviors showed no significant effect on the child’s distress of the following phase when applied during the procedure itself. Results underline the importance of differentiating between anticipatory and procedural phases of the VCUG. Counselling methods for parents on more appropriate strategies to assist their children during procedural phases of the VCUG are necessary.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Agrawalla, S., Pearce, R., & Goodman, T. R. (2004). How to perform the perfect voiding cystourethrogram. Pediatric Radiology, 34, 114–119.
Blount, R. L., Cohen, L. L., Frank, N. C., Bachanas, P. J., Smith, A. J., Manimala, M. R., et al. (1997). The Child Adult Medical Procedure Interaction Scale-Revised: An assessment of validity. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 22, 73–88.
Blount, R. L., Corbin, S. M., Sturges, J. W., Wolfe, V. V., Prater, J. M., & James, L. D. (1989). The relationship between adults’ behavior and child coping and distress during BMA/LP procedures: A sequential analysis. Behavior Therapy, 20, 585–601.
Blount, R. L., Sturges, J. W., & Powers, S. W. (1990). Analysis of child and adult behavioral variations by phase of medical procedure. Behavior Therapy, 21, 33–48.
Bush, J. P., Melamed, B. G., Sheras, P. L., & Greenbaum, P. E. (1986). Mother–child patterns of coping with anticipatory medical stress. Health Psychology, 5, 137–157.
Butler, L. D., Symons, B. K., Henderson, S. L., Shortliffe, L. D., & Spiegel, D. (2005). Hypnosis reduces distress and duration of an invasive medical procedure for children. Pediatrics, 115, e77–e85.
Cohen, L. L., Blount, R. L., Cohen, R. J., Schaen, E. R., & Zaff, J. F. (1999). Comparative study of distraction versus topical anesthesia for pediatric pain management during immunizations. Health Psychology, 18, 591–598.
Dahlquist, L. M., Power, T. G., & Carlson, L. (1995). Physician and parent behavior during invasive pediatric cancer procedures: Relationships to child distress. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 20, 477–490.
Dahlquist, L. M., Power, T. G., Cox, C. N., & Fernbach, D. J. (1994). Parenting and child distress during cancer procedures: A multidimensional assessment. Children’s Health Care, 23, 149–166.
Fotter, R. (Ed.). (2001). Pediatric uroradiology. Berlin: Springer.
Gonzalez, J. C., Routh, D. K., & Armstrong, F. D. (1993). Effects of maternal distraction versus reassurance on children’s reactions to injections. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 18, 593–604.
Marild, S., & Jodal, U. (1998). Incidence rate of first-time symptomatic urinary tract infection in children under 6 years of age. Acta Paediatrica, 87, 549–552.
McArdle, J. J. (2009). Latent variable modelling of differences and changes with longitudinal data. Annual Review of Psychology, 60, 577–605.
Oak, S. N., Kulkarni, B., & Chaubal, N. (1999). Color flow Doppler sonography: A reliable alternative to voiding cystourethrogram in the diagnosis of vesicoureteral reflux in children. Urology, 53, 1211–1214.
Rudolph, K. D., Denning, M. D., & Weisz, J. R. (1995). Determinants and consequences of children’s coping in the medical setting:conceptualization, review, and critique. Psychological Bulletin, 118, 328–357.
Salmon, K., & Pereira, J. K. (2002). Predicting children’s response to an invasive medical investigation: The influence of effortful control and parent behavior. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 27, 227–233.
Stashinko, E. E., & Goldberger, J. (1998). Test or trauma? The voiding cystourethrogram experience of young children. Issues in Comprehensive Pediatric Nursing, 21, 85–96.
Zelikovsky, N., Rodrigue, J. R., & Gidycz, C. A. (2001). Reducing parent distress and increasing parent coping-promoting behavior during children’s medical procedure. Journal of Clinical Psychology in Medical Settings, 8, 273–281.
Zelikovsky, N., Rodrigue, J. R., Gidycz, C. A., & Davis, M. A. (2000). Cognitive behavioral and behavioral interventions help young children cope during a voiding cystourethrogram. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 25, 535–543.
Acknowledgments
The study was made possible by a grant from the Austrian national bank (“Jubiläumsfonds”, Grant number: 10715). We would like to thank the radiology/urology medical staff of the St. Anna Children’s Hospital and the pediatric radiology staff of the General hospital of Vienna for facilitating the integration of the project into the daily clinic routine.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Felber, M., Schabmann, A., Inschlag, N. et al. Effects of Parental Soothing Behavior on Stress Levels of 2–8 Year Old Children During Voiding Cystourethrograms by Phase of Procedure. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 18, 400–409 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-011-9260-5
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10880-011-9260-5