Question

With regard to separation anxiety displayed in a child who is hospitalized, which behavior would indicates the stage of despair?

a. Child clings to parents for comfort.
b. Child tells nurses and staff to "go away."
c. Child is constantly crying and sobbing.
d. Child demonstrates regressive behavior.

Answer 1

In the context of separation anxiety in hospitalized children, the stage of despair is indicated by regressive behavior rather than active signs of distress like constant crying or resistance to caregivers.

The Correct Option is; c. Child is constantly crying and sobbing.

Step-by-step explanation:

With regard to separation anxiety displayed in a child who is hospitalized, behavior indicating the stage of despair would typically be a sense of hopelessness after a prolonged period of separation anxiety. Initially, the child may exhibit clingy behavior or tell nurses to "go away" as a display of protest, but as the situation prolongs and the child moves into the despair stage, more passive behaviors become apparent.

The child might withdraw, demonstrate a lack of interest in the environment, and show signs of deep sadness through regressive behavior rather than constant crying or sobbing, which is more characteristic of earlier stages of separation anxiety and protest.

The behavior that indicates the stage of despair in a child with separation anxiety in a hospital setting is option c. Child is constantly crying and sobbing. This behavior can be seen as a manifestation of extreme distress and sadness as the child is separated from their parents.