The Psychological Impact of Hospitalization in Children: A Review of Distress and Anxiety

Sushma O and Jeena Vijayan PV

Published on: 2025-06-08

Abstract

Aim: This review aims to synthesize and analyze the existing literature on causes, manifestations and consequences of hospitalization and also identify evidence-based strategies to prevent, reduce or manage the distress and anxiety in a hospitalized child.

Method: A literature review was conducted on distress and anxiety among hospitalized child was conducted. The key words like hospitalized child, child distress, child anxiety, pediatric hospitalization, child coping were searched. The literature found were organized as sources of anxiety and distress in a hospitalized child, signs and symptoms, consequences and strategies for managing anxiety.

Result: The findings of review demonstrated that hospitalization is distressing for both child and parents. Recognizing and addressing this concern is crucial for a child’s recovery an overall health. The child’s developmental level and several other factors like separation from family and surrounding, new environment, strangers, medical procedures and other factors contribute to anxiety in a hospitalized child. Hospitalized children may exhibit a variety of symptoms of anxiety. Education and preparation, effective communication, parental and social support, nonpharmacological interventions, play, life specialist for children, medication, environmental modification are some strategies found to be effective in managing distress.

Conclusion: Hospitalization is distressing for both child and parents. If the anxiety is not controlled it may lead to physical and mental ill health. Prevention and management of anxiety in child can be effectively accomplished by the co-operative efforts of parents’ or guardians and medical professionals through various interventions.