title: A child with chronic illness and the process of family adaptation.
abstract: This article analyzes the concept of family adaptation to a child with chronic illness according to the Wilson method. This concept is viewed developmentally as a continual process of adjustment and change by a family system with a resultant response found across a continuum from optimal to ineffective adaptation. In a developmental context, the family system is viewed from a health-oriented rather than a pathological perspective. The focus is on the family's ability to address the stressful chronic illness situation rather than centering on maladaptation of the family and subsequent treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO 64093, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Clawson
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D012803:Sick Role