Question

After a prolonged period in a regional hospital far from home to which the parents were unable to travel, an 18-month-old toddler becomes depressed, withdrawn, and apathetic. Eventually the toddler begins playing with toys and relating to others, even strangers. When the parents visit, the child ignores them. The parents tell the nurse that their child has forgotten them. How does the nurse explain the child's behavior?

1) The nurse suggests that they may be right and that their child will have to get to know them again.
2) The behavior indicates approval of the staff and the child's understanding that they will not inflict bodily harm.
3) The behavior reflects acceptance of the hospitalization and that the experience will enhance their child's maturation.
4) This signifies typical behavior in toddlers who are separated from their parents for prolonged periods and that their child will need special attention from them.

Answer 1

The toddler's behavior of being withdrawn and ignoring parents after a hospital stay is indicative of avoidant attachment and is a natural response to prolonged separation, not a sign of forgetting their parents. With sensitive and responsive caregiving, they will re-establish their bond.

Step-by-step explanation:

After a prolonged period in a regional hospital far from home to which the parents were unable to travel, an 18-month-old toddler becomes depressed, withdrawn, and apathetic. This child may be displaying signs of avoidant attachment, which occurs when a child becomes unresponsive to the parent, does not use the parent as a secure base, and behaves similarly towards both parents and strangers. This pattern may develop due to insensitive and inattentive caregiving.

In responding to the parents, the nurse can draw upon developmental psychologist Mary Ainsworth's attachment theory to explain that this behavior is not unusual for toddlers who experience prolonged separation from their parents and is not an indication that the child has forgotten them. It's more likely that the toddler is trying to cope with the situation. Re-establishing the bond and trust with their child will require time, patience, and consistent, responsive care from the parents.

Moreover, according to Jean Piaget's theory of cognitive development, this age is part of the sensorimotor stage where children develop object permanence and experience stranger anxiety. The toddler's initial avoidance does not necessarily mean they have forgotten their parents, but rather that they are adjusting to their recent experiences. It's important for the nurse to reassure the parents and encourage them to spend quality time with their child, thus offering a chance to strengthen their bond again. With love and patience, the child will likely reconnect with their parents and start to engage with them once more.