Children perceptions and coping strategies towards school and hospital related fears

During this lecture data are presented from two different studies: the first is about the meaning and sources of hospital related fear in a sample of Italian schoolchildren, and presents their common worries toward a hypothetical hospitalization and their coping strategies. This study shows that children’s fear are mostly represented by physical harm, death, doctors, and being left alone in the hospital; help can come from a parent, a doctor or, especially for the older children, from a peer. The most indicated coping activities are play and verbal reassurance, while cognitive comprehension comes at a second moment. The second research investigates school-related fears in normal children, and again it outlines their coping strategies and helping relationships. Data show that children fear for their school achievement and they are often worried of direct or indirect forms of aggression in school. Active and emotion focused coping are mostly common, while avoidance is scarcely indicated. Younger children show a preference for play as coping strategy while older kids seek for help either by a parent or in their own social context, especially in the form of a friend. Based on the data and on the specific children’s narratives of these two studies some general strategies and recommendations are offered to help every teacher to better understand children perspective towards fearful events and what kind of coping and helping relationship can help them to overcame the situation. In conclusion, a model of intervention derived from the counselling theory is presented. This research shows also that rather than dealing directly with the child, teachers can also act as organisers and facilitators and help children construct their own strategy in group.