Parent's Perspectives on How They Cope With the Impact on Their Family of a Child With Heart Disease

Abstract

Purpose: Studies of familial coping with a child's chronic condition have highlighted psychological distress; family functioning; and quality of life; as issues that demand coping strategies. There are conflicting findings on impact and coping and a paucity of information about the specific coping challenges for parents of a child with heart disease, with few qualitative studies in this area. The purpose of the study was to explore the way parents coped with their child's heart condition as it impacted on different domains of family functioning. Design and Method: In this qualitative study, interviews were held with 17 parents attending a pediatric hospital-based family support program in 20..