Is the state anxiety level of inpatient children associated with nursing care quality? A cross-sectional study

Aim

The aim of the research was to investigate the predictive effect of nursing care quality perceived by inpatient children aged 9 to 12 on state anxiety levels.

Methods

The research was conducted with 201 inpatient children. Data were gathered using “The Scale for Evaluating the Quality of Care from Children's Point of View (psychosocial care, physical care, and information)” and “The State Anxiety Inventory for Children.”

Results

In the study, statistically significant, negative, and weak correlations were found between the sub-dimension mean scores of psychosocial care, physical care, information, and the mean scores of state anxiety levels. “Information” was found to have a statistically significant and negative predictive effect on state anxiety levels. It was found that the satisfaction of inpatient children with nursing care quality was related to their state anxiety levels, and particularly, the information provided by nurses significantly influenced their state anxiety levels.

Conclusion

Therefore, it was concluded that to minimize anxiety during children's hospitalization, nursing care quality should be improved in terms of psychosocial care, physical care, and information provision. Pediatric nurses providing care in the clinic should pay attention to meeting the care needs of children, as satisfying nursing care can reduce their state anxiety levels.

Practice implications

The study's findings underscore the critical role of nursing care quality in managing anxiety levels among pediatric inpatients. The negative correlations found between psychosocial care, physical care, and information provision with state anxiety levels underscore the significance of a holistic approach and family-centered care in nursing.