Spina bifida (SB) is one of the most common congenital malformations. It is caused by a failed closure of one or more vertebrae during the early weeks of gestation and results in significant neurological impairment at or below the lesion site (Copp et al., 2015). SB is the most complex of the congenital disorders that infants are expected to survive (Phillips et al., 2017); approximately 85% of individuals with SB are expected to survive to adulthood owing to medical advances (Spina Bifida Association, 2018). However, despite the advances in medical care and treatment, patients with SB continue to experience a range of functional impairments in areas such as walking and voluntary bowel and bladder control (Şahiṅ et al., 2014).
Purpose
The purpose of this study, which was guided by the Family Resilience Model, was twofold: (1) to assess the risk and protective factors related to adaptation and resilience in families of children with spina bifida (SB) in South Korea and (2) to examine predictors of family adaptation and resilience.
Design
This is a descriptive study using survey methodology.
Methods
Data were collected from 203 parents of children with SB between June 2013 and February 2014 at the SB clinic in South Korea and analyzed using stepwise linear regression.
Findings
The best predictors of family adaptation and resilience in children with SB included one risk factor (parental depression) and four protective factors (parental health, family cohesion, family communication skills, and supportive friends/relatives). These five factors explained 39.7% of the total variance in family functioning (an indicator of family adaptation and resilience; F = 26.43, p < .001).
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance
Findings suggest that nursing interventions designed to strengthen protective factors and reduce risk factors are likely to promote adaptation and resilience in families of children with SB.
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic dermatological condition with increasing prevalence, which is becoming a major social issue. 1 Since the disease poses great economic burden and has a negative impact on the patient's daily life, 2 long-term national treatment plans should be considered. 3 A deluge of scientifically unconfirmed information from the media and alternative medicine can cause patient to misunderstand AD. 4,5 Moreover, fear of medical therapy may also lead to inappropriate treatment. 6 Therefore, providing proper education to patients and their caregivers is important in im
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