Stresses and coping strategies of mothers

[Guest guest]

Haven't we told them yet?

Peace

Torsten, dad of Fiona 5wcf

e-mail: torstenkrafft@...

Journal of Advanced Nursing

Volume 39 Issue 4 Page 377 - August 2002

ISSUES AND INNOVATIONS IN NURSING PRACTICE

Stresses and coping strategies of mothers living with a child with cystic

fibrosis: implications for nursing professionals

Hodgkinson BMedSc

and Helen Lester MB MD MA BCH FRCGP

Background.Cystic fibrosis (CF) is the most common inherited disease of

childhood. Caring for a child with CF is stressful and this has implications

for the main carer, the parental relationship, well siblings, family

functioning as well as the affected child.Aim.This study aimed to explore

current stresses and coping strategies used by mothers and to identify roles

and strategies that nursing professionals could extend or adopt to support

them and families of children with CF.

Method.Semi-structured interviews were carried out with 17 mothers of

children with CF who attended the regional cystic fibrosis hospital clinic.

Interviews were analysed using the Framework method of analysis.Findings.The

study suggests that major stresses for many mothers

are feeling in the middle in terms of decision-making particularly

concerning the genetic implications of CF, the burden of responsibility for

parenting a child with a chronic illness, and coming to terms with a

personal change in identity. The most commonly used coping strategy was

seeking support from others including nursing professionals. Relationships

with health professionals in secondary care were generally positive, with

nurses often the first people mothers turned to when they had concerns and

also key in interpreting medical information. Relationships with primary

care health professionals appeared to be more limited with a role reversal

described by some mothers who felt it their responsibility to educate and

inform primary care professionals about CF.Conclusions.This study suggests

that nursing professionals in primary and secondary care need to look beyond

the care of the child to the needs of the mother. It provides evidence to

suggest that nursing professionals

in primary and secondary care have a number of important roles to play as

holders of hope, bridge builders and in providing continuity of care for

such families. It also suggests strategies to strengthen nurse-patient

relationship