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. 2014 Apr;42(2):572-80.
doi: 10.1177/0300060513503758. Epub 2014 Feb 5.

Effects of sociodemographic factors and maternal anxiety on preoperative anxiety in children

Esra Cagiran  1 , Demet Sergin, Mustafa Nuri Deniz, Burçak Tanattı, Neslihan Emiroglu, Isik Alper
Affiliations
Free article

Effects of sociodemographic factors and maternal anxiety on preoperative anxiety in children

Esra Cagiran et al. J Int Med Res. 2014 Apr.
Free article

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the effects of sociodemographic factors and maternal anxiety levels on behaviour in children undergoing surgery.

Methods: This study included children aged 3-12 years who were scheduled for surgery, and their respective mothers. Each mother completed a questionnaire concerning sociodemographic and economic characteristics. Maternal anxiety was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) form Tx-1, following transfer of the child to the operating room. An anaesthesiologist rated preoperative anxiety in each child using the Frankl Behaviour Rating Scale (FBRS) and Venham Picture Test (VPT).

Results: One hundred children (mean ± SD age 7 ± 2.7 years) who received dental (47%), plastic (39%) or urological (14%) surgery, and 100 mothers (mean ± SD age 34 ± 6.6 years) were included. A statistically significant difference between maternal STAI Tx-1 scores and children's VPT scores was revealed. There was no significant difference between maternal STAI Tx-1 scores and children's FBRS scores. Maternal education level and socioeconomic status had no effect on FBRS, VPT and STAI Tx-1 scores.

Conclusion: Maternal knowledge and experience of anaesthesia, and high levels of maternal anxiety, may be related to increased anxiety in children undergoing surgery.

Keywords: Maternal anxiety; paediatric surgery; preoperative anxiety in children.

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