The Impact of Family Strengths Oriented Therapeutic Conversations on Parents of Children with a New Chronic Illness Diagnosis

Abstract

A growing number of families with children are dealing with a new diagnosis of chronic illnesses or health problems that are demanding. Nurses are in a prime position to provide support and empowerment to these families. The aim of the study was to evaluate the benefits of two sessions of a Family Strengths Oriented Therapeutic Conversation (FAM-SOTC) intervention, offered by advanced practice nurses (APNs) to mothers (N = 31) of children and adolescents in Iceland with newly diagnosed chronic illnesses/disorders. Families of children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (JIA), epilepsy, Type 1 diabetes (T1DM), or with sleep disturbance with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), reported significantly higher family support, greater conviction about their illness beliefs, increased quality of life, and greater satisfaction with health care services after receiving two sessions of the FAM-SOTC intervention (Time 2) compared to before the intervention (Time 1). The findings emphasize the importance of the APN’s role and family nursing expertise in supporting families of children with a new diagnosis of chronic illnesses or disorders who are in active treatment.

Keywords

advanced practice nurses family assessment and intervention pediatrics evidence-based quality of life illness beliefs family support

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