coping with severe illness Flashcards
what is coping
constantly changing cognitive and behavioural efforts to manage specific external and/or internal demands that are appraised as taxing or exceeding resources
common challenges with severe illness (4)
disruption to daily living; treatment and hospitalisation; uncertainty and threat to future; lifestyle changes and forming/sustaining relationships
5 ways chronic illness in childhood can impact family
changes in roles/role expectations/responsibilities; loss of ‘perfect’ child; increased practical/emotional stress and depression; strain on parental relationships; finanical issues
impact on siblings of chronic childhood illness (6)
needs overlooked; take up support/caring roles; miss quality time w ill siblings/parents; anxiet over illness dominates relationship; jealousy; increased empathy, kindness and maturity
why is coping important (4)
severe illness (and associated challenges) can be viewed as stressors; places demands on patient that require adaptation; adaptation requires a physiological, behavioural, cognitive and emotional response; the patient is an active agent in coping and must work to reduce discrepancy between demands and resources
what are the 2 classes of coping
emotion focused: aimed at modifying the response by regulating the emotional distress caused by the stressors
problem-focused: strategies that attempt to eliminate the stressful situation through trying to take control - i.e. doing something constructive about events that are regarded as negative
what are 13 specific coping strategies
problem solving; support seeking; escape avoidance; distraction; cognitive restructuring; rumination; helplessness; social withdrawal; emotional regulation; information seeking; negotiation; opposition; delegation
when to use what coping strategy
problem focused - best used in controllable situations;
emotion focused - best for when there is little/no control e.g. in hospital
what coping is often helpful in the acute phase
emotion focused
what coping is part of long-term chronic condition management
problem focused
early vs later problem-focused coping
early - cognitive, info seeking and planning;
later - behavioural, active management of illness
3 factors that can influence coping
illness related (threat to life, side effects etc.); background/personal factors (personality, socioeconomic); physical/environmental (home/hospital, social support, finance)
what factors can facilitate coping in chronic childhood illness (4)
adaptive parental coping style; general support systems; pre-illness personality of the child; understanding of disease
what is the clinician’s role in coping (5)
identify challenges; educate and address misconceptions; introduce the idea of coping and identify coping strategy; steer emotion or problem-focused coping in positive direction; assess and enhance social support
what can psyho-educational interventions include
exercise to improve function and anxiety; education; social support via group classes and involvement of carers; stress management; relaxation training; phsychological techniques to facilitate behaviour change
