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Children with siblings with cystic fibrosis : impact of the illness and strategies used to cope, from the child's perspective

Children with siblings with cystic fibrosis : impact of the illness and strategies used to cope, from the child's perspective
Children with siblings with cystic fibrosis : impact of the illness and strategies used to cope, from the child's perspective

This study explored the psychological impact of having a sibling with cystic fibrosis from the perspective of the child. It aimed to identify both negative and positive aspects of having an ill sibling with a life threatening illness. It further aimed to explore the coping strategies well children used when faced with difficulties relating to their sibling's illness. Parents coping strategies were also examined to identify whether a relationship existed between parent's and children' methods of coping.

19 children from 12 families who had a child with cystic fibrosis participated in the research. Mean age of siblings participating was 11 years and 2 months. Coping strategies were assessed by administering the COPE (Carver, Scheier & Weintraub, 1989) to parents and the Kidcope (Spirito, Stark & Williams, 1988) to children.

The study indicated that children experienced a number of difficulties in relation to their sibling's illness and used a variety of coping strategies. Coping strategies used were reported overall as being helpful and were similar to the strategies that children believed their parents used. Clinical implications of the findings included increasing the awareness of parents of the potential difficulties for children with an ill sibling and finding means of encouraging communication between parents and children. Recommendations for future research are suggested.

University of Southampton
Deeley, Linda Gillian
735e9e19-aa13-4cfa-9102-b9b899440b5c
Deeley, Linda Gillian
735e9e19-aa13-4cfa-9102-b9b899440b5c

Deeley, Linda Gillian (1996) Children with siblings with cystic fibrosis : impact of the illness and strategies used to cope, from the child's perspective. University of Southampton, Doctoral Thesis.

Record type: Thesis (Doctoral)

Abstract

This study explored the psychological impact of having a sibling with cystic fibrosis from the perspective of the child. It aimed to identify both negative and positive aspects of having an ill sibling with a life threatening illness. It further aimed to explore the coping strategies well children used when faced with difficulties relating to their sibling's illness. Parents coping strategies were also examined to identify whether a relationship existed between parent's and children' methods of coping.

19 children from 12 families who had a child with cystic fibrosis participated in the research. Mean age of siblings participating was 11 years and 2 months. Coping strategies were assessed by administering the COPE (Carver, Scheier & Weintraub, 1989) to parents and the Kidcope (Spirito, Stark & Williams, 1988) to children.

The study indicated that children experienced a number of difficulties in relation to their sibling's illness and used a variety of coping strategies. Coping strategies used were reported overall as being helpful and were similar to the strategies that children believed their parents used. Clinical implications of the findings included increasing the awareness of parents of the potential difficulties for children with an ill sibling and finding means of encouraging communication between parents and children. Recommendations for future research are suggested.

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Published date: 1996

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 467138
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/467138
PURE UUID: b1a12158-4f33-4ec3-b9ab-6705bba42797

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Date deposited: 05 Jul 2022 08:13
Last modified: 16 Mar 2024 21:00

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Contributors

Author: Linda Gillian Deeley

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