Content Analysis on Caring Experiences of Mothers of Children with Burns.

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify the caring experience of the mothers of childhood burn patients.

METHODS

Data were collected from 28 mothers of childhood burn patients, through semi-structured in-depth interviews. Data were categorized and coded by using content analysis.

RESULTS

27 categories and 102 statements were drawn from 4 domains. The analyzed domains were psychological sufferings, confronted harsh reality, coping method, and future concerns. Psychological sufferings were categorized heartache, sense of guilt, confusion, regret, depression, sorriness, getting hurt, frustration and upset feeling. Confronted harsh nature were categorized economic difficulty, physical burn-out, lack of caring other children and family troubles. Coping method were categorized positive thinking, having hope, ventilating feelings, accepting the situations, demanding help from family members, changing patterns of the burned child rearing, collecting information for burn treatment, refusing accept the condition of burned child, avoiding personal and social relationship, and reliance on religion. Concerns were categorized concerns of growth and adaptation of the burned child, anxiety for scar, concerns of adapting school life and vague future concerns.

CONCLUSION

The nursing interventions for early assessing psychological problems and providing social supports for caring both burn patients and other siblings should be provided to the mothers of childhood burn patients.