Remolding Child: Process of Nursing Practice for Sexually Abused Children
Sangtien Thamlikitkul PhD (candidate), RN*, Jintana Yunibhand PhD, RN**, Waraporn Chaiyawat DNS, RN**
Affiliation : * Department of Psychiatric Nursing, Kuakarun College of Nursing, Bangkok, Thailand ** Faculty of Nursing, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Objective : To explore and understand the nursing practice processes of psychiatric nurses for school-aged
sexually abused children admitted to psychiatric wards.
Material and Method: Grounded theory approach. Twelve psychiatric nurses, aged between 35-59 years old,
experienced with sexually abused child patients, participated in the present study. Data was collected by
using in-depth interview that were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim, line by line. It was then analyzed
using grounded theory method.
Results : “Remolding child” was the basic social process by which psychiatric nurses provided nursing care
for school-aged sexually abused children admitted to psychiatric wards. It was composed of three stages
happening continuously in sequence. Each stage consisted of sub-stages that had no sequence in their
occurrence and were simultaneous and reciprocal. The first stage started with establishing trust, arranging
effective communication, and providing physical care. The second stage was fostering socialization, building
will-power, and arranging a safe and supportive environment. The final stage was assisting living in society. Two
other important characteristics of this remolding child process were working as a team and self-development.
Conclusion : The substantive theory derived from the study recommends new understanding in the holistic
nursing practice process for school-aged sexually abused children admitted to psychiatric wards in Thailand.
It can be used as a guideline to develop interventions to prevent residual effects of chronic psychiatric
problems occurring in later years.
Keywords : Child abuse, Sexual, Nursing process, Nursing theory, Psychiatric nursing
