Beyond the bed: How family dynamics shape children's experiences of nocturnal enuresis in multigenerational Chinese families.

OBJECTIVE

To explore how children with nocturnal enuresis (NE) experience their condition within the context of multigenerational Chinese family dynamics and to inform child- and family-centered healthcare approaches.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive study with embedded ethnographic elements, guided by the Family Management Style Framework, was conducted. Twelve families (49 individuals) were recruited from a pediatric urology clinic in XX. Data were collected through genogram-facilitated family interviews, child-centered interviews, and home observations. A hybrid thematic analysis was used to interpret the data.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged. First, children experienced NE as shameful, reflecting internalized family meanings attached to bedwetting. Second, intergenerational power dynamics, particularly the influence of grandparents, created tension within families and affected treatment adherence. Third, NE influenced family identity and social participation, sometimes leading to concealment and withdrawal, and in some families prompting greater parental cooperation.

CONCLUSION

Children's experiences of NE are closely shaped by family relationships and cultural norms. Effective child-centered management should go beyond a biomedical focus and address children's emotional needs and family negotiation processes to improve well-being and treatment outcomes.