The present study aimed to investigate if play resources modify the strategies used by hospitalized children to cope with emotions of anger and sadness. Thirty-six 6-and 10-years old children, divided into two control groups, inside and outside the hospital, and one experimental group (inside the hospital), were assessed. They were all submitted to pre and post tests that analysed how these children justified ways to stop feeling angry and sad in a hospitalization situation. In only one of the groups a play activity was developed with suggestions for more elaborated strategies. The results showed that strategies varied according to play activity; that there were no observed variations according to age and gender; that testing itself was considered a play activity and may enable changes in hospitalized children.
Playful activity; hospitalized child; regulation of emotion; anger; sadness
