What did Fassler (1980) report about distress upon hospital arrival?

• A. Distress increases when children cannot see staff
• B. Distress is unchanged regardless of activity
• C. Children were significantly less upset when they could play or read a non medical story with a staff member
• D. Distress only decreases with medication

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is that a child’s emotional reaction to arriving at the hospital can be softened by immediate, supportive social interaction and developmentally appropriate activities. Fassler’s finding shows that when a staff member actively engages a child in play or reads a non-medical story with them, the child becomes significantly less distressed. This demonstrates how therapeutic play and presence provide reassurance, create a sense of normalcy, and give the child a sense of control in an unfamiliar, potentially frightening environment.

Think about why this helps: hospital settings are scary because they’re unfamiliar, loud, and predictable routines are disrupted. A trusted staff member who participates in play or storytelling offers a calm, predictable, and non-threatening connection. This ongoing social support reduces fear and anxiety more effectively than passive exposure or medicalized approaches alone, because it addresses the child’s need for security, meaning, and distraction from stressors.

The other possibilities don’t fit the evidence as well. Simply not seeing staff or relying solely on medication doesn’t provide the same comforting, engaging interaction that helps children cope in the moment. The key takeaway is that active, age-appropriate engagement with a familiar staff member is a powerful tool to lessen distress at hospital arrival.