Chronic illness: the child and the family

Sein, Eleanor

doi:10.1016/s0957-5839(99)90093-3

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…In turn, children’s psychological vulnerability is especially pronounced when parents suffer from poor health or emotional distress [ 24 ]. As caregivers almost always accompany children to medical appointments, health professionals could use this setting to assess the presence of stressors which may impact on caregivers’ well-being and management of childhood illness [ 25 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the impact of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children: an exploratory qualitative study

et al. 2014

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BackgroundWhile the prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) tuberculosis (TB) is high among children in the Western Cape of South Africa, the psychosocial implications of treatment for children with MDR-TB remain poorly understood. We sought to explore how MDR-TB and its treatment impact children on an individual, familial, and social level.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 children and caregivers purposively sampled from a prospective clinical cohort of children. The sample was stratified by age at the start of treatment (children >10 years, and 5-10 years). Caregiver proxy interviews were conducted with younger children, supplemented with child interviews; older children were interviewed directly, supplemented with caregiver proxy interviews. Data were analysed using grounded theory.ResultsFindings revealed pill volume and adverse effects produced significant physical, psychological and academic disturbances in children. Adverse effects related to the medication were important obstacles to treatment adherence. While there appear to be no long-lasting effects in younger children, a few older children showed evidence of persisting internalised stigma. Caregivers suffered important treatment-related financial and psychological costs. Community support, notably through the continued involvement of children in strong social networks, promoted resilience among children and their families.ConclusionsWe found that the current treatment regimen for childhood MDR-TB has significant psychological, academic, and financial impacts on children and their families. There is a need for psychosocial support of children and caregivers to mitigate the negative effects of community stigma, and to manage the stressors associated with chronic illness.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2334-14-426) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing the impact of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis in children: an exploratory qualitative study

et al. 2014

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“…They may suffer low self-esteem either because they believe that the chronic illness is a punishment for bad behaviour or because they feel less than whole as a consequence of being ill. As a result, there is an increased liability to behavioural, emotional and social competence problems, such as antisocial, anxious/depressed, headstrong, hyperactive, peer conflict, social withdrawal and immature/dependency. 47 Non-adherence to treatment, underachievement in school, and other types of regressive behaviour such as bed-wetting or throwing temper tantrums are not uncommon. These problems can be aggravated if families do not have adequate styles of communicating with each other and of resolving conflict.…”

Section: Chronic Illnesses and Hospitalisationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does the stress in childhood and adolescence matter? A psychological perspective

Lau

2002

Journal of the Royal Society for the Promotion of Health

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Although stress in adults is well researched and acknowledged, little has been discussed on the existence and reactions of children and adolescents to stress, despite the mounting evidence that they are frequently among the most affected victims of a variety of threatening events. In reality stress is a normal part of a child's or adolescent's life and encompasses common, developmental stressors of daily life and those arising from unusual or traumatic experiences. Apart from more well known stress from family instability, poverty and life transitions, it is easy to forget or ignore the many school pressures and increasingly common social phenomenon of the 'hurried child' in modern life. We can make plans of intervention and prevention only when the condition is recognised by the health care professionals.

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“…It is well recognized that children with physical health problems are at an increased risk of developing psychological difficulties (Fonagy et al . 1987;Lavigne & Faier-Routman 1992;Glazenbrook 2000;Sein 1999), it is often the case that parents (particularly the mother) are considered to be the primary informant of their children's psychological status (Sawyer et al . 1993).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%