The Impact of Childhood Chronic Renal Disease on Family Life: A Review of the Literature
Abstract The aim of this project was to use a literature review to examine the impact of childhood chronic renal disease on family life. A total of 22 articles and 4 books were included in the review. A progressive focus was developed by identifying 3 key areas in the literature on the impact of ch...
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| Format: | Dissertation (University of Nottingham only) |
| Language: | English English English |
| Published: |
2010
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| Online Access: | https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/23616/ |
| Summary: | Abstract
The aim of this project was to use a literature review to examine the impact of childhood chronic renal disease on family life. A total of 22 articles and 4 books were included in the review. A progressive focus was developed by identifying 3 key areas in the literature on the impact of childhood chronic disease on family life, and applying these to the specific case of childhood chronic renal disease. The 3 key areas examined were the impact of chronic renal disease on siblings, role alteration and parental isolation, and interpersonal conflict.
This literature review has identified that the unpredictability of childhood chronic renal disease is a factor which has the most significant impact on family life. This may affect parental employment opportunities and hence create financial difficulties for families, may result in parents becoming socially excluded from society and cause anxiety in healthy siblings due to the fear of becoming separated from their families. In addition, siblings of children with chronic renal disease may encounter mixed emotions caused by jealousy together with concern for their sick brother or sister’s health. Furthermore, parents may also assume healthcare-provider roles in addition to their parenting duties. They will also take on the role of student when learning to care for their child, and will eventually become the experts in their child’s care. This process is similar to the path that nurses take in their careers.
Recommendations for future research include ascertaining whether or not there are significant differences in how specific diseases affect family life, carrying out more studies on how fathers and grandparents are affected by caring for a child with a chronic health condition, the effect this has on the marital relationship and finding out what support families need, from their points of view. These recommendations were made to further contribute to the knowledge base surrounding ‘family centred care’ and to help bridge the gap between acute-setting and community nursing. |
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