RESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: To explore and understand the nursing practice processes of psychiatric nurses for school-aged sexually abused children admitted to psychiatric wards. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Grounded theory approach. Twelve psychiatric nurses, aged between 35-59 years old, experienced with sexually abused child patients, participated in the present study Data was collected by using in-depth interview that were tape-recorded and transcribed verbatim, line by line. It was then analyzed using grounded theory method. RESULTS: "Remolding child" was the basic social process by which psychiatric nurses provided nursing care for school-aged sexually abused children admitted to psychiatric wards. It was composed of three stages happening continuously in sequence. Each stage consisted of sub-stages that had no sequence in their occurrence and were simultaneous and reciprocal. The first stage started with establishing trust, arranging effective communication, and providing physical care. The second stage was fostering socialization, building will-power; and arranging a safe and supportive environment. The final stage was assisting living in society. Two other important characteristics of this remolding child process were working as a team and self-development. CONCLUSION: The substantive theory derived from the study recommends new understanding in the holistic nursing practice process for school-aged sexually abused children admitted to psychiatric wards in Thailand. It can be used as a guideline to develop interventions to prevent residual effects of chronic psychiatric problems occurring in later years.