A Systematic Review of the Role of Nurses in Promoting the Psychological Well-being of Hospitalized Children

Introduction Hospitalization is a difficult and stressful experience for children, which can have profound effects on their mental health. Anxiety, fear of separation, depression, and feelings of helplessness are among the common psychological consequences for hospitalized children. In this context, nurses, as the healthcare team members closest to the child, play a pivotal role in alleviating these stressors and promoting psychological well-being. Accordingly, the objective of this systematic review is to examine the research conducted on the role of nurses in improving the psychological state of hospitalized children, aiming to identify and implement effective strategies to enhance the quality of care. Methods This research was conducted as a systematic review. To gather data, the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases were searched for the years ۲۰۱۵ to ۲۰۲۴. The keywords used were: "pediatric nursing", "mental health", "hospitalized children", and "psychological support". After initial screening, ۲۸ eligible articles were selected and reviewed using content analysis methodology. The quality of the studies was also assessed based on the PRISMA checklist. Findings The review revealed that several categories of nursing interventions had the most significant impact on promoting the mental health of hospitalized children: Play Therapy and Art Therapy: Reducing anxiety and increasing feelings of security. Therapeutic Communication: Using simple, child-friendly language, supportive touch, and the nurse's active presence alongside the child. Parental Education: Increasing family involvement in psychological care. Creating a Calming Environment: Utilizing cheerful colors, music, and creating a child-friendly atmosphere in the pediatric ward. Specialized Nurse Training: Enhancing communication and psychological skills, which increases nurses' effectiveness in reducing children's psychological symptoms. Studies indicated that nurses who received specialized training in psychiatric nursing were more successful in managing children's fear and anxiety. Furthermore, consistent presence and establishing an effective emotional connection with the child were identified as key factors in reducing psychological distress. Conclusion Nurses play an irreplaceable role in providing psychological support to hospitalized children. Implementing targeted interventions, conducting specialized training courses, and strengthening communication skills can significantly improve children's mental health. It is recommended that specialized training programs in child psychology be designed for nurses and integrated into hospital policies. Additionally, attention to the physical and emotional environment of pediatric wards is a crucial factor in enhancing the quality of psychological care.

کلیدواژه ها:

Nurses ، Children ، Mental Health ، Hospital