Parent Perceptions and Satisfaction with Inpatient Child Life Specialist Interventions and the Role of Child Temperament

This study examined parent perceptions and satisfaction with interventions by inpatient child life specialists (CLSs) and the role of child temperament. Forty-nine parents of children (12 months-7 years) completed questionnaires assessing knowledge of the CLS's role, perceived need for CLS intervention, whether they received and were satisfied with the intervention(s), and their child's temperament. Results indicated that most parents were unaware of the CLS role prior to admission; they received the interventions needed and were satisfied. Child temperament was related to perceived need and receipt of developmental support and family facilitation interventions, and children with more challenging temperament received more interventions. Implications for practice are discussed.