Play as a predictor of coping and distress in children during invasive dental procedure

Investigated the relations among play, coping and distress in children undergoing an invasive dental procedure. A positive relation between play and coping and a negative relation between coping and distress and between play and distress were predicted. Subjects were 37 pedodontic patients (mean age = 8.1 years). Immediately prior to the dental procedure, children's play was assessed using the Affect in Play Scale (Russ, 1985,1993). Coping and distress were assessed during and after the dental procedure by observer report, dentist report, and child self-report. As predicted, children who were "good" players implemented a greater number and variety of cognitive coping strategies (rs ranged from .52 to .55, p < .05) and reported less distress, r(34) = -53, p < .05, during the procedure than children who expressed less affect and fantasy in their play.