Children Who Are Affected by Juvenile Arthritis Experience High Level of Anxiety

Abstract

Anxiety in human beings is represented as an adaptive response towards a disability. In hospitalized children with chronic diseases it is defined as a specific reaction within the individual who is seen as an absorber of the energy and endangers it’s welfare. Every person based on his biological and psychological predispositions is more vulnerable to certain events. The purpose of this research is to provide a scientific contribute to understand the anxiety symptoms in children with chronicle illness. Psychological effects, their reactions to emotional concerns and the ways they use to face their illness. Methodology: Participants included in this study were 60 patients from 6 – 12 years old, 30 of them were patients of rheumatoid ward of QSUT and 30 others were outpatients. Anxiety was identified State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for Children (STAIC)” for self report of anxiety of the child who has experienced anxiety. The obtained results from the SPSS statistical analysis support the hypothesis of the study: 60% of hospitalized patients experience high levels of anxiety, 20% average level, 20% low level. Ambulatory Group: 36.7% high levels of anxiety, 46.7% average level 16.7% low level. Conclusions: The results show that the chronicle disease it is positively related with high levels of anxiety. Many factors interact in high anxious conditions in chronicle sick children, firstly we can mention hospital factors including: the long duration of stay in hospital, hospital events ,medication schedules ,lack of appropriate information ,different medical examinations and procedures. Chronically ill child due to long hospitalization can reduce the relation with his peers. It affects the self-esteem of children and the possession of his social skills.

DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n2s2p24