Who wants to be a resident mother?

A survey was conducted to enquire into the attitudes and experiences of mothers staying with their ill children in a teaching hospital. Ninety-four were interviewed informally on the ward and subsequently completed two psychological questionnaires, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale concerning themselves and the Rutter A scale concerning their child. Cases were selected by age to balance the groups with resident and non-resident parents. Forty-one mothers stayed on the ward, 19 in a separate parents' house and 34 were not resident. Significant factors affecting a mother's decision to stay were the distance from home and the severity of the illness. Social variables were similar for both groups. No association was found between psychological distress in mother or child and the mother's choice. Experiences on the ward are discussed together with the benefits provided by a purpose built house for resident parents.