Hospitalization is a stressful and often traumatic experience for children, frequently resulting in behavioral distress such as anxiety, fear, and withdrawal. This study examined the relationship between nursing strategies and behavioral distress among hospitalized children aged 3 to 12 years in selected healthcare facilities in Quezon Province. Guided by Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, the research employed a quantitative descriptive-correlational design to determine how non-pharmacological nursing interventions influence pediatric patients’ emotional and behavioral responses. Data were collected using validated tools, including the Nursing Strategies Utilization Scale (NSUS) and the Behavioral Distress Observation Checklist (BDOC), administered to pediatric nurses with at least six months of clinical experience. Findings revealed that nursing strategies, particularly therapeutic play, family involvement, and effective communication, were highly utilized and significantly associated with reduced levels of behavioral distress. Statistical analysis indicated a significant inverse relationship between the implementation of caring-based nursing interventions and the degree of distress observed among children. Furthermore, nursing strategies were found to significantly predict behavioral outcomes, highlighting their critical role in pediatric care. The study underscores the importance of integrating compassionate, evidence-based, and child-centered approaches in nursing practice to enhance emotional well-being and treatment cooperation among pediatric patients. Based on the findings, a Caring-Response Pediatric Enhancement Program (CR-PEP) is proposed to institutionalize best practices in pediatric nursing care. This research contributes to the advancement of holistic nursing practice and supports the integration of caring science in clinical and educational settings.
ALMIRA AMADO (Mon,) studied this question.