Attachment and Early Hospitalization

Behavioral disturbances of children after hospital experience became a cause of general concern after 1950. Many practices have been improved in order to reduce the emotional impact of hospitalization. A distinction should be made between short-term emotional upheaval and possible damage to the emotional development. For children aged between 6 and 36 months, the most vulnerable category, long-term socio-emotional disturbance after hospital treatment is a serious hazard, especially after readmission. This book describes and analyzes relevant research from 1936 onwards as an introduction to new empirical study of the problem. The principal frame of reference is the attachment theory. Criteria of adjustment are behavior problems reported by parents, observations of parent-child interaction in a natural setting, and measures of language-acquisition. The focal issue is the effect of several dimensions of parental support during hospitalization.