Nurses’ perception on violence against children and adolescents by their companion in pediatric ward

This study explored how nurses in a Brazilian pediatric ward perceive and respond to violence against children and adolescents by their caregivers. Nurses recognized different types of violence but considered physical violence most serious. Common causes they identified included child temperament, intergenerational violence patterns, and stress from hospitalization. Nurses took action through dialogue, separating child from caregiver, documenting incidents, and reporting to child protection authorities, though they faced challenges from poor team communication and doctor-centered decision-making.

Key points

• Nurses recognize multiple types of violence against children in pediatric settings but weight physical violence as more severe than other forms
• Identified causes of violence include difficult child temperament, intergenerational cycles of violence, and stress from hospitalization
• Nurses respond through dialogue, temporary separation of child and companion, incident documentation, and notification to the Guardianship Council
• Multidisciplinary team communication was poor and hospital organization was medically centered, limiting coordinated response
• No evidence presented that current approaches effectively prevented or reduced violence

Limitations

This study captures only nurses' perceptions and self-reported actions, not actual practice patterns or outcomes for children. It does not evaluate whether the interventions nurses described were effective in reducing violence or improving child safety.