Abstract:
Procedural pain and discomfort during pediatric medical interventions remain a significant challenge for healthcare providers and families alike. While clinical guidelines emphasize pain management and child-centered care, little is known about how parents cognitively frame these experiences and how their beliefs influence both their own behavior and their child’s coping. This study explores parental cognitions regarding procedural pain and comfort in young children, drawing on qualitative data from in-depth interviews with parents whose children underwent medical procedures in a hospital setting.
The analysis reveals that parental perspectives are multidimensional, encompassing beliefs about the necessity of medical interventions, expectations toward healthcare professionals, and strategies to mitigate distress. Parents oscillate between prioritizing procedural efficiency and advocating for their child’s emotional well-being, often negotiating a tension between trust in professionals and the desire for active involvement. Their interpretations of pain are shaped not only by the physical sensation but also by contextual factors such as prior experiences, communication quality, and perceived empathy from staff. Comfort is conceptualized broadly, extending beyond analgesia to include psychological reassurance, predictability, and relational support.
These findings underscore the critical role of parents as emotional regulators and decision partners during pediatric procedures. They highlight the need for healthcare teams to address parental cognitions explicitly, fostering shared understanding and collaborative strategies that integrate technical competence with emotional care. By acknowledging parental beliefs and expectations, professionals can enhance procedural experiences, reduce anxiety, and promote resilience in both children and their caregivers.
This study contributes to a growing body of research on family-centered care by illuminating the cognitive and emotional frameworks through which parents interpret procedural pain and comfort. Implications for practice include tailored communication, anticipatory guidance, and structured involvement of parents in comfort interventions. Future research should examine how these cognitions interact with child outcomes and inform interventions aimed at optimizing procedural support in pediatric settings.
