Never-ending caring : the experiences of caring for a child with cerebral palsy : a thesis presented in fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing at Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
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Date
2008
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Massey University
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Abstract
Cerebral palsy is one of the chronic conditions which have become a serious
health burden worldwide. Consequently, this health burden involves healthcare
as a whole, regardless of whether the focus is on the macro or micro system.
Glaserian grounded theory was employed to explore and explain the experiences
of families who have a child with cerebral palsy, particularly in the Thai cultural
context. Unstructured interviews and participant observations were used along
the process of data collection from 15 families who have a child with cerebral
palsy. Data encompassed a variety of qualitative data sources: interviews,
observational field notes, personal documents, pictures, drawings, and
information from a literature review. The process of data analysis was guided by
Glaserian grounded theory throughout the processes of constant comparative
analysis to generate a substantive theory. The substantive theory comprised three
core categories: Enduring despair, culture of obligation and responsibility
and living with, which were integrated into the basic social psychological
process of never-ending caring. The metaphor of a waterwheel was used to
depict the basic process. The substantive theory of never-ending caring for a
child with cerebral palsy provided an explicit understanding of the experiences
of these families in day-to-day living with, and care of, a child with cerebral
palsy. It is hoped that this understanding will be a constituent of health care -
particularly of people with chronic conditions, whereby the practice of healthcare
professionals will improve, thus enhancing the efforts of their work to achieve
the ultimate goal of improving the quality of life of children with cerebral palsy
and their families.
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Children with cerebral palsy, Families of cerebral palsied children, Thailand