Feelings of Mothers Accompanying Children Emergently Admitted to Hospital for the First Time

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the feelings of mothers whose children were emergently admitted to hospital for the first time. We performed an inductive analysis of qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews of six mothers accompanying their children, aged between 0 and 6 years.
　During the period between the onset of symptoms and outpatient visit, these mothers were "anxious and restless because the child's symptoms did not improve" and "satisfied with, and distrustful of medical professionals' handling and response". They also felt "relieved to have support from family members". During the next phase when the child's hospitalization was determined and they were led to the child's hospital room, these mothers felt "worried and relieved about the fact that the child has been hospitalized", as well as "perplexed and reassured that the child is receiving medical treatment". They were, on the one hand, "worried about future prospects" and "anxious in anticipation of life during hospitalization". They also felt "aware of the importance of receiving cooperative support from their surroundings". In the subsequent period until the child's discharge from hospital, these mothers were "sensitive to every change in the child's symptoms" and "concerned about how to deal with possible symptoms in the future". They looked "perplexed about being in a hospital setting". At the same time, however, they were "relieved to receive support from family members". Furthermore, it was found that these mothers became "aware of their own physical conditions" during this period.