Children's preoperative coping: replication and extension

Abstract

This study examined the ways 42 children coped with surgery in relation to their locus of control beliefs, age, and the amount of preoperative information given them by their parent(s) and surgeon. Lazarus' (1966) cognitive appraisal perspective of stress and coping provided the theoretical framework for the study. From this perspective, a person's appraisal or evaluation of stress and one's coping modes are determined by both personal and situational factors specific to the individual. Children were interviewed preoperatively and rated as using avoidance modes, active modes, or a combination of avoidance-active coping. Results showed that all three independent variables related to children's adopted coping strategy. The results also replicated findings of previous research that showed locus of control and parent-doctor information were associated with particular coping behaviors.