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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Elaine Williams Domian, RN, PhD¹, Jo Ellen Branstetter, RN, MS(N)², and Phoebe Dauz Williams, RN, PhD, FAAN¹. (1) School of Nursing, University of Kansas, 3901 Rainbow Boulevard, Kansas City, KS 66160, 913-588-1679, edomian@kumc.edu, (2) College of Nursing, Cox College of Nursing and Health Sciences, 1011 E Lilly Dr., Ozark, MO 65721

Communication Patterns in Families of Children with Chronic Illness/Disability

Purpose: To gain an understanding of the impact of childhood chronic illness on family communication patterns. Information elicited on family communication patterns was a component of the second phase of an intervention study where parent/sibling dyad semi-structured interviews were conducted following a full or partial educational and experiential sibling camp intervention. Method: A total of 60 interviews (30 parent and 30 sibling dyads) obtained from a larger quantitative intervention study (N=252) were the basis that comprised the data for this qualitative study. There were five illness categories (cancer, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, spinal bifida, and developmental disabilities), and families were chosen equally from each category. Naturalistic methods were used to conceptualize the significance, content, impact of chronic illness, and intervention on family communication patterns for these parent-sibling dyads. Line by line analysis was used to identify codes, categories, and themes. PRELIMINARY FINDINGS: Four themes emerged from the data: (1) Giving Voice: A process of positive movement in communication through which the internal self gains voice to express feelings, wants, needs, concerns, fears, and questions; (2) Communication: A Reflection of Relationships and Roles: A reflection of the dependent nature of roles and relationships experienced internally, manifested externally, and reflected in individual and family communication; (3) Staying Connected: A dynamic process of valuing communication, remaining available for communication and regulating the content and quality of communication to strengthen family adaptation and cohesion; and (4) Struggling for Normalcy: A process of problem-solving that culminates in shared meaning of the illness/disability experience. A conceptual model was developed to illustrate the interrelationships among the themes. PRELIMINARY CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this study can be used to strengthen communication patterns, adaptation, and cohesion for families with children with a chronic illness/disability.

Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the poster session, the participant (learner) will be able to

• Identify 3 major stressors that families face when having a child with a chronic condition.
• Describe one of the four interrelated themes relevant to the impact of childhood chronic conditions on family communication patterns.
• Discuss the impact of an intervention on supporting positive communication in families of children with chronic conditions

Keywords: Chronic Illness, Communication

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered