PURPOSE
The purpose of this report is to study the peculiarities of the nursing care needed by children and adolescents. Special psychological and physiological characteristics of the age groups under consideration have been emphasized. Stress caused by health problems by children and adolescents can be significantly reduced by the proper nursing care provided.
INTRODUCTION
Social and emotional well-being is very important both for children and adolescents. However, children of different age groups have specific needs, which may significantly differ from the needs which younger or older children have. Thus, it is sensible to take into account developmental theories when discussing the nursing care needs of children and adolescents.
One of the most competent developmental theorists, Erik Erikson, divided the whole period of the childhood into several stages: 18 months to 3 years (the so called early childhood), 3 to 5 years (play age), and 6 to 12 years (school age) (E. Erikson, 1950).
For children timely vaccination and regular medical examinations are of major importance. Forming and maintaining healthy lifestyle habits is the primary task both for parents and caregivers.
Taking into account their psychological characteristics, it is possible to say that adolescents are closer to being adults than to being children. However, they still remain vulnerable (Healey, 2007).
DEFINITIONS
Adolescence
Transitional age of physical and psychological development of a human generally occurring between puberty and legal adulthood (E. Erikson, 1950).
Behavior
The range of actions made by organisms in conjunction with their environment, which includes other organisms and systems around as well as the physical environment (Institute of Education Sciences, 2010).
Childhood
The age span ranging from birth to adolescence (E. Erikson, 1950). In many theories of development childhood is divided into early childhood, play age, school age, and adolescence.
Disability
A physical or mental handicap, especially one that prevents a person from living a full, normal life (Institute of Medicine, 2009).
Emotional well-being
The ability to understand the value of emotions and use them for self-development and achieving personal goals. Everyday emotional well-being also involves identifying, building upon, and operating from an individual’s strengths rather than focusing on problems and/or weaknesses (Institute of Education Sciences, 2010).
Health care
The prevention, treatment, and management of illness and the preservation of mental and physical well-being through the services offered by the medical and allied health professions (Institute of Medicine, 2009).
Health problems
A state in which an individual is unable to perform his everyday functions normally, without assistance or pain (Institute of Medicine, 2009).
Nursing care
The practice in which a nurse assists an individual in the performance of those activities contributing to health or its recovery that the individual would perform unaided if he had the necessary strength, will or knowledge (Institute of Medicine, 2009).
Social well-being
A complex concept which involves a person’s relationship with others and how that person communicates, interacts, and socializes with other people. It can also relate to how people make friends and whether they have a sense of belonging (Institute of Education Sciences, 2010).
BACKGROUND
Both social and emotional well-being is important for a harmonious multi-lateral development of a child. Social well-being is a core aspect of a person’s development. …