Behavioral distress, fear, and pain among children hospitalized for bone marrow transplantation.

This study assessed the extent of behavioral distress, fear, and pain of 10 children hospitalized for bone marrow transplantation. Parents and nurses completed bi-daily ratings of the child's level of behavioral distress, fear, and pain, while children completed bi-daily ratings of their fear and pain. Analyses showed high parent-nurse agreement on ratings of children's behavioral distress, but generally low interrespondent agreement on ratings of children's fear and pain. Results also indicated significant changes over time for ratings of children's fear and pain, but not for ratings of behavioral distress.

Children and exposure to the sun: relationships among attitudes, knowledge, intentions, and behavior.

This study examined the relationships among measures of knowledge of skin cancer, attitudes toward sun exposure, intentions to use sunscreen, and self-reported use of sunscreen by 105 fifth-grade children. Positive correlations were obtained between knowledge and intentions to use sunscreen, knowledge and healthier attitudes, and intentions to use sunscreen and healthier attitudes toward sun exposure. Surprisingly, knowledge, attitudes, and intentions were not significantly associated with reported use of sunscreen. Researchers designing interventions to effect behavioral change, i.e., sunscreen use, in children might further explore the predictive utility of these constructs as well as examine the utility of other important variables not measured here.

Evaluating pediatric psychology consultation services in a medical setting: An example.

We examined the nature of referrals to a health center-based pediatric psychology service from 1990 to 1993 and assessed the satisfaction of health professionals with these services. Archival evaluation of 1467 records showed that over half of the consultation requests came from general pediatrics, pediatric neurology, and surgical services and that 70% of the psychological services were delivered on an outpatient basis. The most frequent referrals were for cognitive/neuropsychological evaluation and externalizing behavior problems. Pediatric psychology trainees were involved in 94% of the consultations. Survey of health professionals (n = 143) indicated very high overall satisfaction with the quality of services delivered. Presenting problems yielding the greatest likelihood for future consultation requests were behavior problems, child abuse, coping with illness, and depression/suicide. Results are discussed in the context of previous evaluations of pediatric psychology services and recommendations for future evaluation research.