INFLUENCE OF A CHILD'S CHRONIC ILLNESS ON FAMILY DYNAMICS AS PERCEIVED BY FAMILY MEMBERS-CAREGIVERS IN TEACHING HOSPITALS IN ENUGU METROPOLIS

📄 Project Abstract

Chronic illness is the term used to describe diseases which have non-reversible pathological condition that cannot be corrected by medical intervention. Examples include sickle cell disease, cancer, Aids, bronchial asthma among others. Many children are affected by chronic illness and cared for in the homes. The diagnosis of chronic illness in a child evokes a lot of influences on the dynamics of both immediate and extended families. This study investigated the influence of a child's chronic illness on family dynamics as perceived by family members/caregivers in Enugu metropolis. Descriptive survey design of qualitative and quantitative was used. Four objectives of the study were to: determine the influence of a child's chronic illness on family cohesion; determine the influence of a child's chronic illness on family flexibility; determine the influence of a child's chronic illness on the communication pattern in the family and identify the construct of the family dynamics mostly affec...