The Impact of Previous Experience on Children's Reactions to Venepunctures

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Abstract
The relationship between children's previous experience with venepunctures and their responses to a subsequent blood test was studied in 47 children hospitalized for a surgical intervention. We replicated the results of earlier studies, revealing no effect of the amount of experience but a significant effect of the quality of previous experience. Children with a history of negative medical experiences were found to show higher levels of state anxiety prior to the procedure and to be more distressed and less cooperative during the procedure than children with previous positive or neutral experiences. A comparison of both groups of experienced children with inexperienced children revealed that negative past experiences are likely to sensitize the child, whereas positive or neutral past experiences do not have a significant impact on subsequent reactions. This effect occurs independently of the coping style of the child (sensitizing versus repression).