# Care for hospitalized children undergoing institutionalization in light of the psychodynamics of work

## TL;DR

This study explores the emotional experiences of nurses caring for hospitalized children in Brazil, identifying factors that bring pleasure and distress in their work.

## Contribution

The study applies the Psychodynamics of Work framework to understand nurses' emotional responses in pediatric institutionalization care.

## Key findings

- Professional fulfillment, health education involvement, and bonding with children were sources of pleasure for nurses.
- Child abuse cases, disengagement at discharge, and invasive procedures caused distress among nurses.
- The findings help managers develop practices to address emotional challenges in pediatric nursing environments.

## Abstract

to analyze the factors of pleasure and distress of nurses in the care of hospitalized children undergoing institutionalization in a pediatric unit.

a qualitative descriptive study, carried out in a university hospital in southern Brazil, with the participation of 11 nurses. Information was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed according to thematic analysis proposed by Minayo, resulting in two analytical categories.

nurses reported professional fulfillment, involvement in health education, and bonding with children as factors that generated pleasure at work. However, cases of child abuse, disengagement at discharge, and invasive procedures were mentioned as factors of distress.

carrying out this study provided an opportunity to understand the specificities of feelings of pleasure and distress verbalized by nurses in light of the Psychodynamics of Work, helping managers to articulate practices that provide reflection on the topic in work environments.

analisar os fatores de prazer e sofrimento do enfermeiro no cuidado à criança hospitalizada em processo de institucionalização em uma unidade pediátrica.

estudo qualitativo do tipo descritivo, realizado em hospital universitário do Sul do Brasil, com participação de 11 enfermeiras. As informações foram coletadas através de entrevista semiestruturada e analisadas de acordo com a análise temática, proposta por Minayo, emergindo duas categorias analíticas.

as enfermeiras referiram realização profissional, atuação na educação em saúde e vínculo com a criança como fatores geradores de prazer no trabalho. No entanto, casos de violência infantil, desvinculação no momento da alta e procedimentos invasivos foram mencionados como fatores de sofrimento.

a realização deste estudo oportunizou conhecer as especificidades diante dos sentimentos de prazer e sofrimento verbalizados pelas enfermeiras à luz da Psicodinâmica do Trabalho, auxiliando gestores na articulação de práticas que proporcionem reflexão sobre o tema no ambiente laboral.