The familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children. A transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis
Introduction Pediatric acute bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening illness that results from bacterial infection of the meninges and leaves some survivors with significant sequelae. Given the potential trauma induced by the disease itself and the hospitalization, it is important to have an in...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cambridge University Press
2021-04-01
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| Series: | European Psychiatry |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821010580/type/journal_article |
| _version_ | 1797616840527052800 |
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| author | E. Scanferla P. Gorwood L. Fasse |
| author_facet | E. Scanferla P. Gorwood L. Fasse |
| author_sort | E. Scanferla |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description |
Introduction
Pediatric acute bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening illness that results from bacterial infection of the meninges and leaves some survivors with significant sequelae. Given the potential trauma induced by the disease itself and the hospitalization, it is important to have an insight on how the parents cope with this aversive event, and especially how they give sense to this experience.
Objectives
(1) To explore the lived experience of close family ascendants whose child or grandchild had survived acute bacterial meningitis (2) To investigate how they give meaning to this specific experience.
Methods
Participants were recruited through two association of persons affected by meningitis. Convenience sample of eleven family ascendants. Their family descendants were aged between 0.2 and 20 years old at the time of the meningitis diagnosis (M= 4.1, SD= 7.3). In average, 9.4 years had passed between the onset of illness and the relative’s interview (SD= 5.4).
Results
6 superordinate themes and 2 meaning-making processes were identified: 1. Sick child becoming a “hero” (comparison with other children). 2. Engaged action/attitude: finding the “positive” of the traumatic experience and engaged action to improve the care system.
Conclusions
This is one of the first studies exploring the first-hand experience of family ascendants confronted to acute bacterial meningitis. Findings highlighted factors characterising the disease experience and the psychological adjustment of meningitis survivors’ families. They demonstred (1) the multidimensional impact of the disease on family ascendants and their need for professional psychological support, (2) the importance of direct involvement of parents in identifying key aspects of care.
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| first_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:47:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-393ec2ef9e634c548bb73dcc8d043741 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0924-9338 1778-3585 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-11T07:47:04Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
| publisher | Cambridge University Press |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Psychiatry |
| spelling | doaj.art-393ec2ef9e634c548bb73dcc8d0437412023-11-17T05:07:21ZengCambridge University PressEuropean Psychiatry0924-93381778-35852021-04-0164S395S39510.1192/j.eurpsy.2021.1058The familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children. A transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysisE. Scanferla0P. Gorwood1L. Fasse2Ed 450, Université de Paris, Paris, France Ea 4403, Clipsyd, Université Paris Nanterre, France, France Cmme, GHU Paris psychiatrie neurosciences, Paris, FranceCmme, GHU Paris psychiatrie neurosciences, Paris, France Institute Of Psychiatry And Neuroscience Of Paris, INSERM, Paris, FranceLpps, Ea 4057, Université de Paris, Boulogne Billancourt, France Département De Soins De Support, Gustave Roussy Institute, Villejuif, France Introduction Pediatric acute bacterial meningitis is a life-threatening illness that results from bacterial infection of the meninges and leaves some survivors with significant sequelae. Given the potential trauma induced by the disease itself and the hospitalization, it is important to have an insight on how the parents cope with this aversive event, and especially how they give sense to this experience. Objectives (1) To explore the lived experience of close family ascendants whose child or grandchild had survived acute bacterial meningitis (2) To investigate how they give meaning to this specific experience. Methods Participants were recruited through two association of persons affected by meningitis. Convenience sample of eleven family ascendants. Their family descendants were aged between 0.2 and 20 years old at the time of the meningitis diagnosis (M= 4.1, SD= 7.3). In average, 9.4 years had passed between the onset of illness and the relative’s interview (SD= 5.4). Results 6 superordinate themes and 2 meaning-making processes were identified: 1. Sick child becoming a “hero” (comparison with other children). 2. Engaged action/attitude: finding the “positive” of the traumatic experience and engaged action to improve the care system. Conclusions This is one of the first studies exploring the first-hand experience of family ascendants confronted to acute bacterial meningitis. Findings highlighted factors characterising the disease experience and the psychological adjustment of meningitis survivors’ families. They demonstred (1) the multidimensional impact of the disease on family ascendants and their need for professional psychological support, (2) the importance of direct involvement of parents in identifying key aspects of care. https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821010580/type/journal_articleSubjective experienceMeningitissurvivorsMeaning-making processQualitative methods |
| spellingShingle | E. Scanferla P. Gorwood L. Fasse The familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children. A transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis European Psychiatry Subjective experience Meningitis survivors Meaning-making process Qualitative methods |
| title | The familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children. A transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| title_full | The familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children. A transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| title_fullStr | The familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children. A transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | The familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children. A transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| title_short | The familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children. A transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| title_sort | familial experience of acute bacterial meningitis in children a transversal qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis |
| topic | Subjective experience Meningitis survivors Meaning-making process Qualitative methods |
| url | https://www.cambridge.org/core/product/identifier/S0924933821010580/type/journal_article |
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