Perceptions of sleep quality and stress by parents of children enrolled in hospital organized home-care

• IntroductionCaring for a sick child creates much greater demands for parents than those associated with raising a healthy child. Parents of chronically ill children reports higher levels of parental stress as a consequence of the substantial social, emotional and personal demands associated with caring. Sleep quality is an important aspect of wellbeing and is strongly related to stress and quality of life. In some Swedish counties families are offered hospital organized home-care for sick children. Caring for a child at home gives the family the opportunity to be together in an environment they know well and where they can feel comfortable and secure. On the other hand it includes several sleep disturbances during the night which affects the ability to handle the situation and support their child. No other study is found about how parents sleep when their child is enrolled in hospital organized home-care. AimTo explore parents’ perceptions of sleep quality and stress when they sleep at home with a child enrolled in hospital organized home-care. MaterialFifteen parents (11 mothers and 4 fathers) with children enrolled in hospital organized home-care from one university hospital and one general hospital in South-eastern Sweden were included. The children ranged in age 0-12 years. MethodParents were interviewed with open-ended questions. Data was analysed with a phenomenographic method according to Marton and Both. ResultsFour descriptive categories in the phenomenon of parents’ perceptions of sleep quality and stress when they sleep at home with a child enrolled in hospital organized home-care were identified; Routines helps to manage the situation, Time for oneself and the partner, Feelings of isolation and Need of support ConclusionSleep is important for the parents in several aspects. They are in a stressful situation with high demands both from the society and from themselves and there is often a lack of support from relatives and friends. Nurses need to acknowledge and promote parents’ sleep when they care for their sick children at home and support them in the caregiving.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Hälsovetenskap -- Omvårdnad (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Health Sciences -- Nursing (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Parents

Sleep

Home Care Services

Child

Caregiver

Nursing

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vet (ämneskategori)

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