Kontakt 2013, 15(4):379-386 | DOI: 10.32725/kont.2013.045

Validation study of nursing diagnosis "Fear in hospitalized children"Nursing

Lenka Mazalová^*, Zdeňka Mikšová, Jana Kameníčková

Univerzita Palackého v Olomouci, Fakulta zdravotnických věd, Ústav ošetřovatelství

The aim of the research was clinical validation of 34 defining features and 8 related factors of nursing diagnosis Fear NANDA-International in hospitalized children aged 6-16. The validation of diagnostic elements was determined by Fehring's model of clinical diagnostic validity (Clinical Diagnostic Validity Model, CDV). Clinical assessment was implemented by two experts who were chosen according to modified Fehring's criteria of experts' choice for the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. In individual different age group of children the same degree and different degree of validity component of diagnosis Fear was found. The compliance relates to the fact that in none of the age groups major defining characteristics have been validated. The differences concerned the amount and the content of minor defining characteristics. In children in age group 6-11 only two minor defining characteristics were validated: a cognitive characteristic - "identification of the object that causes fear" (0.60) and a body characteristic - "dry mouth" (0.68). In age category of children aged 12-16 only one minor body defining characteristic was validated - "fatigue" (0.74).
In the group of related factors in children of both age group only one related factor reached R higher than 0.50 - the factor "separation from the supporting system in situations inducing stress (e.g. hospitalization, hospital procedures)". However, in this case, differences between age groups were found. In younger children this feature reached lower value (0.56) and was validated as a minor factor, in older children this feature was validated as a major related factor (0.83). The findings show that for the validation of nursing diagnosis in paediatric care the age and achieved level of development in children is an important factor. Therefore, it is necessary to carry out the validation studies focused on broader age range of specific groups of children repeatedly and in different areas of treatment.

Keywords: nursing diagnosis; fear; children; clinical validation; Fehring's model of clinical validity

Received: May 23, 2013; Accepted: August 15, 2013; Published: December 20, 2013  Show citation