Effects of Stress-Point Intervention With Families of Repeatedly Hospitalized Children

Abstract

Parents of repeatedly hospitalized children with chronic conditions are considered veterans of the health care system. Yet each hospitalization presents unique problems, can be more stressful, and has potential for lasting problems. A family-focused, supportive intervention, Stress-Point Intervention by Nurses (SPIN), was designed to reduce family problems. It was hypothesized that parents who participated in SPIN compared with those with usual care would have more satisfaction with family functioning and better parent coping after their children’s hospitalizations. A three-site clinical trial with random assignment of 23 ambulatory clinic nurses and their respective child-patients and families to experimental SPIN or usual care control groups was employed with 115 children aged 1 through 15. The Feetham Family Functioning Survey and Coping Health Inventory for Parents were completed before hospitalization and 3 months after discharge. SPIN parents were more satisfied with family functioning and had better parental coping after hospitalization than parents who received usual care.

Psychological interventions for parents of children and adolescents with chronic illness

“…Thirty-six studies had insufficient psychotherapeutic content, such as instruction, education, parents trained as ’coaches’ for their children or health prevention interventions (Aleman 1992; Anderson 1999; Braga 2005; Bellin 2013; Burke 1997; Burke 2001; Chen 2013; Chernoff 2002; Chiang 2009; Evans 1999; Field 1998; Garbutt 2010; Giallo 2008; Glang 2007; Groß 2013, Hovell 1994; Humphreys 2000; Ireys 1996; Ireys 2001; Johnson 1987; Kaslow 2000; Katz 2014; Kazak 1996; Ketchen 2006; Klinnert 2005; Klinnert 2007; Kupfer 2010; Logan 1997; Mendez 1997; Murphy 2012; Nelson 2011; Pérez 1999; Staab 2002; Sullivan-Bolyai 2010; Szczepanski 2010; Walders 2006). Twenty-two studies had an aim that was irrelevant to the objectives of this review, such as fidelity studies, mixed illnesses or the intervention focusing on the parents’ communication with professionals (Borhani 2011; Bruzzese 2008; Cakan 2007; Canino 2008; Carey 2008; Ellis 2007; Ellis 2008; Fedele 2013; Forsander 1995; Gerber 2010; Gulewitsch 2012; Harris 2001; Hommel 2012; Jay 1990; Kurowski 2013; Lyon 2013; Rasoli 2008; Scholten 2011; Van der Veek 2013; Wade 2010; Walker 1996; Wysocki 1997).…”

Stress-mediated quality of life outcomes in parents of childhood cancer and brain tumor survivors: a case–control study

“…In the hospital setting, targeted support and coping interventions have been shown to improve well-being in some parents [61, 62]. External interventions, such as parent-to-parent support programs and summer camp respite care, have also been shown to improve parental psychosocial outcomes [63, 64].…”

Evidence-Based Practice with Families of Chronically Ill Children: A Critical Literature Review

“…As shown in Table 3, findings revealed three studies rated as Level II. Burke, Harrison, Kauffman, and Wong (2001) conducted a randomized study and found that stress point interventions are significant in improving overall family functioning with families with a chronically ill child (n D 115). Walker, Johnson, Manion, and Cloutier (1996) found that emotionally focused therapy showed significant decrease in marital distress with couples parenting a chronically ill child (n D 32).…”