Department of Nursing, College of Medicine, Soonchunhyang University
Abstract
Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate uncertainty, anxiety and nursing needs in mothers of hospitalized children. Method: Self report questionnaires were used to measure the variables. Variables were uncertainty, anxiety and nursing needs. In data analysis, SPSSWIN 12.0 program was utilized for descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and regression analysis. Results: Cronbach's alphas of .84 to .97 indicate reliability of the instruments. Uncertainty positively correlated with anxiety (r=.624, p<.001) and nursing needs (r=.147, p<.05), and anxiety positively correlated with nursing needs (r=.262, p<.01). In regression analysis of anxiety, uncertainty, nursing assessment of nursing needs and duration of hospitalization were significant predictors, explaining 45.1% of variance. Conclusion: Uncertainty was a significant predictor of anxiety in mothers whose children were hospitalized. Therefore, nursing interventions which decrease uncertainty must be developed for these mothers.