Coping in parents of children who are chronically ill: strategies for assessment and intervention

Pediatr Nurs. 2001 Nov-Dec;27(6):548-58.

Abstract

Estimates indicate that approximately 31% of children are affected by one or more chronic illnesses. Furthermore, caring for a chronically ill child imposes a host of long-term stressors for parents that need to be addressed by sensitive, evidence-based interventions. This article will: (a) review stressors of childhood chronic illness for parents over time; (b) provide a summary of tools that can be used to assess parental coping, (c) delineate important nursing assessments, (d) review interventions that have resulted in improved parental coping outcomes, and (e) describe a theoretical framework that can be used to assess and intervene with parents of chronically ill children.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological*
  • Child
  • Chronic Disease / nursing
  • Chronic Disease / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Nursing Assessment
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Professional-Family Relations