Anxiety Levels among Hospitalized Preschool Children

Abstract

Background: Hospitalization represents an inherently stressful crisis for preschool-aged children due to abrupt environmental displacement, invasive medical interventions, and separation from primary caregivers. In eastern Indonesia, empirical documentation detailing anxiety levels among hospitalized pediatric patients in acute wards remains exceptionally scarce.

Objectives: To describe the anxiety levels among preschool children hospitalized

Methods: This quantitative descriptive study employed a cross-sectional approach involving 60 preschool children (aged 3–6 years) admitted to the Nuri Ward of Bhayangkara Hospital Class II Jayapura, selected through consecutive sampling. Data were collected using the validated Preschool Anxiety Scale (PAS) completed by primary caregivers. Data analysis was performed univariately to determine frequency distributions and percentages.

Results: Of the 60 pediatric respondents, the majority experienced moderate anxiety (n = 39; 65.0%), while 15 children (25.0%) suffered mild anxiety, and 6 children (10.0%) exhibited severe anxiety. The most frequently observed behavioral manifestation was severe tension when interacting or playing with other children (40.0%), followed by fear of unfamiliar situations, distress when separated from home, and hypersensitivity to hospital sensory stimuli.

Conclusion: The majority of hospitalized preschool children experience moderate anxiety during acute inpatient care. Pediatric nursing practices must incorporate routine early psychological screening, developmentally appropriate non-pharmacological therapies (such as play and storytelling interventions), and active family-centered care models to mitigate hospitalization trauma