Benefits of mothers' permanence and participation in the care for their hospitalized child

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to identify, according to the mothers' perspective, the benefits related to her permanence and participation in the care for her child hospitalized at a Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). The theoretical framework was Cross-cultural Nursing Theory, and the methodological framework was the assistant convergent research approach. Data was collected from six mothers of children hospitalized at a PICU of a University Hospital, in the period from January to May 2007, through interviews and active observation. Analysis was conducted following four generic processes: collection, synthesis, theorization and application. The results evidenced that the mothers' presence and care increased the attachment between mother and child, increased mothers' confidence, and made the child calmer. This produced positive feelings such as joy and satisfaction for being able to care for their child. Nurses should review their behavior toward the mothers accompanying their child at the hospital, and adopt attitudes that support her participation in the care for her hospitalized child.