Examining Children’s Perceptions of Nursing Care in Acute and Chronic Illness Using a Projective Method

Objective: This descriptive study used a projective method to examine the perceptions of nursing care among children with acute and chronic illnesses.Methods: The study population consisted of all patients aged 6–14 years with acute and chronic illnesses who were hospitalized in the Pediatric Health and Diseases Unit of a hospital between July 1 and November 1, 2021. The sample comprised 120 children who met the inclusion criteria: 60 with acute illnesses and 60 with chronic illnesses. Data were collected using the Personal Information Form, Drawing Paper, and Drawing Information Form. During the interview, each child was provided with drawing materials and asked to draw a picture that could answer simple questions about care and nursing, considering their age.Results: Indicators of perceptions of nursing care differed between drawings by children with chronic illnesses and those by children with acute illnesses. Evaluations based on representations in the drawings showed that children with chronic illnesses included more negative expressions related to anxiety and self-confidence and more elements indicating a higher need for care. This finding suggests a more negative perception of nursing care among children with chronic illnesses.Conclusion: The findings indicate that perceptions of nursing care differ between children with acute and chronic illnesses, as assessed using drawing-based projective evaluations. Indicators of anxiety and self-confidence were assessed through representations in the children's drawings.