YOUNG CHILDRENS BEHAVIORAL-RESPONSES TO ACUTE PAIN - STRATEGIES FOR GETTING BETTER

Behavioural responses of hospitalized young children in acute pain wer e examined and described. Eleven children, aged 24-79 months, who expe rienced acute pain in response to surgical intervention, and their par ents, participated in the study. A qualitative, naturalistic methodolo gy was used. Participant observation and child and parent interviews w ere the primary data collection methods. The constant comparative meth od of data analysis was employed to identify beginning behavioural res ponse categories. Findings revealed that the children used the process of 'getting better' in response to pain. This process involved three strategies: 'hiding away', 'fighting it' and 'making it good'. Each of these strategies was characterized by specific behaviours. The more p ain the children experienced, the more frequently these strategies wer e employed. Recommendations specific to assessing behavioural response s in young children experiencing acute pain are offered.