Play-aged child and hospital adaptation, an example from Türkiye; My hospital friend “Yarencik” intervention

Purpose: To evaluate the impact of the “My Hospital Friend YARENCİK” initiative on hospital adaptation among children aged one to three, and to identify factors influencing this adaptation. Method: The study was conducted using a pre-test–post-test controlled quasi-experimental design and took place between March 2021 and October 2021 at the pediatrics clinic of a teaching and research hospital with children aged 1–3 years. Participants were sequentially assigned first to the control group (n = 38) and then to the experimental group (n = 34). Data were obtained using the Personal Information Form (containing the children’s and mothers’ personal information) and the Children’s Hospital Adaptation Evaluation Scale. Ethical principles were followed. Results: A significant difference was found in favor of the experimental group in the post-test between the mean scores of The Children’s Hospital Adaptation Evaluation Scale (p<.001). In addition, the hospital compliance of three-year-old children whose mothers were working was found to be significantly higher (p<.05). Conclusion: A group of one-to-three-year-olds admitted to the hospital found it easier to adhere to the nursing initiative when using My Hospital Friend Yarencik in their playtime. Hospitalized children who are one and two years old and whose mothers do not work may need more attention. © The Author(s) 2026.