About this Health Professions article

Stresses and Coping Strategies of Mothers Living with a Child with Cystic Fibrosis: Implications for Nursing Professionals by Rebecca Hodgkinson; Helen Lester is a Health Professions article available to read on EtoBox.

**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 generall

Author

Rebecca Hodgkinson; Helen Lester

Publisher

John Wiley and Sons; Wiley (Blackwell Publishing); Blackwell Publishing Inc.; Wiley (ISSN 0309-2402)

Published

2002

Language

EN

Field

Health Professions (Health Sciences)