Children and adolescents living with atopic eczema: an interpretive phenomenological study with Chinese mothers.
OBJECTIVE
This article is a report on a phenomenological study of Chinese mothers' experiences of caring for their children who were living with atopic eczema.


BACKGROUND
A mother's attitude and personality may have a direct influence on her child's adherence to treatment for atopic eczema. Thus, good communication between healthcare professionals and the mother is essential. Treatment and care should also be culturally appropriate.


METHODS
Using an interpretive phenomenological method, 14 interviews were conducted in Hong Kong, China from September 2007 to August 2008, with nine mothers caring for their children who were living with atopic eczema. Crist and Tanner's circular process of hermeneutic interpretive phenomenology was chosen to guide the data analysis.


RESULTS
Mothers' coping patterns involved persistently dealing with enduring demands and seeking alternative therapies that were aimed at curing the disease. Four themes finally emerged from the data: (1) dealing with extra mothering, (2) giving up their life, (3) becoming an expert and (4) living with blame and worry. Mothers' coping patterns involved persistently finding ways to relieve their children's suffering with the aim of curing the disease and dealing with their own emotions related to the frustration resulting from giving up their life and living with blame and worry.


CONCLUSIONS
The study findings provide nurses with an empathic insight into mothers' feelings and the enduring demands of caring for children with atopic eczema, and help nurses to develop culturally sensitive interventions, reinforce positive coping strategies, increase family function and improve health outcomes.
Department of Child and Adolescent, Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital, Hong Kong, China.
Winnie K H
WK
Cheung
Regina L T
RL
Lee
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000451:nursing*; D005260:Female; D006167:Guilt; D006723:Hong Kong; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers / Q000523:psychology; D020380:Needs Assessment; D017592:Skin Care; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological