Parents’ perspectives in their relationship to the care setting and the social adaptation of children after a hospital stay: A mixed methods study

Introduction: A child’s hospitalization can be a difficult experience for many parents and can disrupt parenting. However, parenthood in relation to this care context is little studied.
Objectives: The purpose of this study is to describe the experience of parents in their relationship to the care setting and the social adjustment of children.
Method: A sequential mixed-methods survey was conducted, involving 94 parents with children aged between 17 and 48 months after a hospital stay in three regions of Quebec. After completing the questionnaire, 16 participated in semi-structured interviews.
Results: 1) The mothers’ perceived stressors, related to care as well as the child’s behavior, are associated with maternal cognitions and behaviors two months after a hospital stay.
2) The parents’ relationship to the care setting and the child’s adaptation highlights four relational processes: continuous, difficult, ambivalent, and complex.
Discussion: The care context influences the parent’s ability to assume their role two months after a hospital stay.
Conclusion: It is important to offer nursing to parents that takes into account the psychological dimension of parenthood and the social adaptation of children to the care context.