Concept analysis of “children’s independence”

Abstract

 Those in pediatric nursing quite often mention the child’s independence but its meaning in the context of nursing has not been defined in past literature. A better understanding of the term would help them provide more effective nursing care to sick children. The purpose of this study was therefore to analyze the current meaning, in Japan, of children’s independence and consider how it would apply to pediatric nursing. 75 papers and books, written in Japanese, in the fields of nursing science, education, psychology and development study were subjected to concept analysis based on the method by Rodgers (2000). Seven categories were extracted as a result. According to the findings, the child’s independence was characterized by the attributes of proactive recognition/emotions/actions and development through progressive stages. The antecedents of concept were categorized as the child’s development/emotions/experience and interaction of surrounding adults. The consequences were the healthy sense of self and development, positive emotions and the ability to manage and adopt. A concept model based on the findings suggested the development of independence by repeating the cycle of antecedents, attributes and consequences. The study further suggested that interaction of surrounding adults would become an effective guide for the provision of nursing care to sick children and attributes and consequences could be used as an indicator of independence.