Investigating the relationship between the dimensions of self-concept and the fear of hospital in children admitted to internal wards and pediatric surgery

Children's fear of being hospitalized has many complications. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the dimensions of self-concept and the fear of the hospital in children admitted to selected hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.  This is a descriptive-correlational study. The research sample consisted of 120 children aged 10-14 years old in Isfahan's selected hospitals. Data were collected using demographic characteristics, self-concept questionnaire (SCQ) and hospital's fear scoring questionnaire (HFRS). Pearson correlation coefficient, linear regression analysis and independent t-test were used to analyze the data. There was a significant negative correlation between the overall scores of fear of the hospital and the overall scores of self-concept and its dimensions except for ethics (P<0.05). However, self-concept scores were not significantly correlated with moral status (P>0.05). There was a significant negative correlation between the age of children with the total score of self-concept and there was no significant relationship between the age of the children with the general score of fear of the hospital and its dimensions. Also, the results showed that there was no significant relationship between the gender of children with general score of self-concept and fear of hospital (P>0.05).  As the child's self-concept is more positive, the child will experience less fear.