Meeting abstract
CRONIC SORROW OF PARENTS OF CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DIFFICULTIES, USERS OF THE ZLATNI CEKIN POLYCLINIC AND CEKIN NURSERY
Katarina Jerković Gavran
orcid.org/0000-0002-1951-4269
; Zlatni cekin, polyclinic, Vinogorska 115, Slavonski Brod, Croatia
Abstract
Introduction: Chronic sadness is the presence of recurrent intense sensations in the lives of parents or guardians with children who have chronic health conditions. Once the child who have chronic health condition is born, parents are confronted with childrens needs and challenges and need to adapt to a new life circumstances. Relationships with larger circle of family members, neighbours, friends and attitudes towards the illness of everyone around them as well as a quality of communication with health workers and availability of informations should be the source of emotional and instrumental support. Diagnosis of the child developmental delays is the reason for parents sorrow. That feeling is similar to the feeling experienced by people who lost by death someone dear to them. The child is not physically lost, but parents grieve because their hopes were to give a birth to a healthy child.
Aim: To examine the presence and influence of chronic sadness of the quality of life among parents of children who are chronically ill. To determine its existence and triggers. To examine the differences with regard to the diagnosis and time span of the situation/loss that the parents have to deal with, and to examine the internal and external mood management mechanisms that are connected to the assistance of medical professionals, family and friends.
Methods: Parents of children with developmental disabilities, clients of the Zlatni cekin polyclinic and the Cekin kindergarten (115 parents).
Results: Regardless of their child’s diagnosis and the time span of the situation/loss they are dealing with, parents of children with developmental disabilities have their ups and downs. They feel and believe that the situation/loss will affect them for the rest of their lives. The majority of participants have experienced some changes as a result of the situation/loss (89,1%) and think about the difference it has made (84,7%). They mostly feel worried (97,3%) and then sad (96,5%), and they also mention fear and a feeling of impotence. Adopting the ‘I can do it’ attitude helps them in dealing with their emotions, and taking up a hobby and talking to a priest or a rabbi are the least helpful options. Adopting an attitude is significantly less helpful among parents of autistic children than it is among parents of children with intellectual difficulties and at-risk children. Medical professionals can help by allowing the parents to ask questions, by providing good care and giving honest answers. Family and friends can help by having a positive attitude, by listening to them, and by not feeling sorry for them. Most of the participants are female (86,1%), married and of average financial status.
Conclusion: Chronic sadness is stable regardless of the diagnosis and time span of the situation/loss. It has its characteristics and triggers. Internal and external mechanisms help the parents in dealing with their emotions.
Keywords
children with developmental disabilities; family; chronic sadness
Hrčak ID:
218598
URI
Publication date:
31.12.2018.
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