Summary
Anxiety in the parents of children treated in pediatric emergency services in Andalusia and its association with aspects of family functioning
Affiliation of the authors
DOI
Quote
Fernández-Castillo A, Vílchez-Lara MJ. Anxiety in the parents of children treated in pediatric emergency services in Andalusia and its association with aspects of family functioning. Emergencias. 2016;28:239-42
Summary
Objective.
To assess the level of anxiety in the parents of children treated in hospital emergency departments in Andalusia and its association with dimensions of family functioning.
Methods.
Descriptive observational study based on a cross-sectional survey. We recruited a convenience sample of parents bringing children to 6 pediatric emergency services in the Spanish autonomous community of Andalusia in 2012. The variables recorded were place of origin, educational level, anxiety level on the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety
Inventory, and family functioning according to the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scale, version 2.
Results.
A total of 637 parents were included. Their mean (SD) age was 35.4 (8.4) years; 399 (62.6%) were women. The mean anxiety score was 44.26 (10.15), and we found no differences between mothers and fathers. Lower anxiety levels were associated with higher levels of family cohesion (r = –0.37; P < .001) and adaptability (r = –0.36; P < .001). Conclusion. The parents of children attended in pediatric emergency departments in Andalusia have high levels of anxiety. Anxiety is inversely associated with family adaptability and cohesion.
