Life after the Shock! the Impact on Families of Caring for Young Children with Chronic Illness

Abstract

The stresses experienced by most families include limitations on time, conditions of employment, financial burdens and sibling rivalry. For the families of a child with a chronic illness, these stresses are often compounded, making family functioning problematic. Chronic illness is marked by permanency and the need for ongoing vigilance with respect to management, treatment and care (Curtin & Lubkin, 1995). A chronic illness generally persists for more than three months in a year and may require periods of hospitalisation (Thompson & Gustafson, 1996). Research has shown that the way families and the children themselves manage chronic illness in the home is contingent on a range of factors. This paper outlines some of the difficulties and explores some of the factors impacting on children with chronic illness and their families. Finally, it looks at early education, noting its particular benefit in helping families ‘normalise’ daily life as much as possible.