title: Positive interventions in seriously-ill children: Effects on well-being after granting a wish.
abstract: We examined whether a positive intervention (i.e. granting a wish) could promote positive psychological and physical changes (e.g. reduced nausea and pain) in seriously-ill children. Children and their parent were randomly assigned to a wish group (completed measures 2-3 days before the wish and 3 weeks later) or to a waiting-list control group (with an equivalent time-lag and receiving the wish after the assessment). Wish intervention significantly increased levels of positive emotions, satisfaction with life, personal strengths, and reduced rates of nausea compared with the control group. Mothers in the wish group also perceived positive changes in children's benefit finding and quality of life.
authors: Complutense University of Madrid, Spain cchavesv@psi.ucm.es.
authors: Covadonga
authors: C
authors: Chaves
authors: Complutense University of Madrid, Spain.
authors: Carmelo
authors: C
authors: Vázquez
authors: Complutense University of Madrid, Spain.
authors: Gonzalo
authors: G
authors: Hervás
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D037921:Gift Giving; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain; D010290:Parents; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: benefit finding; childhood cancer; positive affect; positive intervention; quality of life; satisfaction with life