Parents, Does Your Child Fear Injection? Experts Say It Could Be Your Fault

It's fairly common to see children scared of needles at the doctor's clinic and researchers at York University have found out that the fear has links to the behavior of the parents. In fact, this is the biggest reason why children often display adverse behavior towards injections.

The team of researchers headed by Psychology professor Rebecca Pillai Riddell looked into children and their anxiety for getting vaccinated. They observed 130 kids from Greater Toronto during their infancy stage, or when they underwent vaccinations at two, four, six and 12 months, and the preschool stage, or when they got booster shots between 3-5 years old.

They also took note of the way their parents handled and interacted with the kids before and after the injections. The parents were asked if they were scared for their children, or if they believe their children are scared of the needles. The health care workers were also observed as the children were being attended to. 

York Prof Rebecca Pillai Riddell & her OUCH lab offers tips for parents to soothe babies at the doctor's: https://t.co/AxoouYZp [VIDEO] ^jj

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"We were interested in whether pain-responding and parent behavior during infancy predicted needle fear at preschool," the researchers wrote in their study, per Science Daily. They noted that in some cases the children's fear of needles was so grave that they develop distress long after the injection. Thus, many would avoid succeeding vaccination appointments. 

In studying the variables, the researchers saw the impact of the parents' behavior - whatever they say or do - when the children received vaccinations at both infant and preschool age. "[These] were the biggest predictors of child distress before a needle, above and beyond any other variables," the research head said, per a York University press release.

The findings emphasized that parents should be able to come up with the best intervention and support for their children early on, or when the children are getting needle shots as an infant, to prevent episodes when they are slightly older. The researchers note that this is a "major public health concern" as fear of needles is preventable, per EurekAlert.

The Columbia School of Nursing recently came out with some helpful guides for parents in handling fear of needles in kids. "Good play preparation, a positive attitude about immunization, and bringing something to distract kids during the shots can all help make the experience better," said pediatric nurse Rita John.