Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to clarify the support process of mothers who attend to preschool children undergoing medical examinations and/or procedures.
Method: The data were obtained from participant observations during medical examinations and/or procedures, and semi-structured interviews of 14 mothers. The data were analyzed in accordance with the Grounded Theory Approach.
Results: The results showed the follwing: All of the mothers gave their hearts to the children who were with anxiety and fear. Mothers hoped that necessary but the fewest medical examinations/procedures would be carried out, if possible, and that children could get through them easily. Balancing children's dependence on mothers with their encouragement to children, mothers tried to establish a mental foothold with which children could get through medical examinations/procedures. At that time, mothers who were ensured of their support came to have self-confidence as the supporter. Mothers who were not ensured got perplexed about got confused about how to support children.
Conclusion: In order that mothers can trust and support children's abilities to do their best when undergoing medical examinations and/or procedures, it is important that nurses assist and promote mothers. It is also important to explain in detail how to deal with preschool children's responses and adjustments.
