Facilitating Adjustment in Families with a Chronically-Ill Child
by Paula Finestone, PhD 5 CE Credits
Description:
The diagnosis of a chronic illness in a dependent child has implications for the entire family system. This course identifies the specific stressors resulting from parenting a chronically-ill child. How the patient’s needs and behaviors are impacted by the diagnosis and how these aspects can alter family dynamics and parenting style are discussed. Further, the impact on the marital dyad, as well as "healthy" siblings, is addressed. Methods to assess for maladaptive coping (i.e., post-traumatic stress symptoms) is reviewed and evidence-based approaches to enhance coping and facilitate adjustment within the system are presented.
Learning Objectives:
After completing this course, health professionals will be able to:
- Recognize specific stressors in marital relationships resulting from parenting a chronically-ill child
- Describe how the patient’s and the siblings’ needs and behaviors are impacted by a child’s chronic illness and can alter parenting style
- Utilize strategies to assess maladaptive coping and post-traumatic stress symptoms in parents of chronically-ill children
- Implement evidence-based interventions to facilitate adjustment in these families
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