A qualitative exploration of health-related quality of life and health behaviours in children with sickle cell disease and healthy siblings
Constantinou, Christina, Payne, Nicola ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5885-9801, van den Akker, Olga
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3529-4358 and Inusa, Baba
(2021)
A qualitative exploration of health-related quality of life and health behaviours in children with sickle cell disease and healthy siblings.
Psychology and Health
.
ISSN 0887-0446
[Article]
(Published online first)
(doi:10.1080/08870446.2021.1955119)
|
PDF
- Published version (with publisher's formatting)
Download (513kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Objectives
This study explored the health-related quality of life (HRQL) and health behaviours of children with sickle cell disease (SCD) and healthy siblings, drawing on Gap theory, which suggests HRQL is the discrepancy between current and ideal selves.
Design
Thirty-two interviews, facilitated by children’s drawings of their current and ideal selves were thematically analysed.
Results
Two themes were identified. First, limitations of SCD and adjusted expectations. Children with SCD report some discrepancy in HRQL as they would like to participate in more physical activity, but overall, they appear to have normalised their condition and adjusted their expectations in the context of the limits of their condition. Healthy siblings worry about their sibling and have greater expectations about engaging in adventurous activities and for their future. Second, coping with SCD. Children have limited social support, although children with SCD seek support from their mothers. They also modify health behaviours, like reducing exercise to help prevent and cope with sickle-related pain.
Conclusion
Children have some discrepancies in their HRQL but adjusted expectations among children with SCD may reduce discrepancy. Adapting health behaviours may help to cope with SCD but it is important that reductions in physical activity do not impair HRQL.
Item Type: | Article |
---|---|
Research Areas: | A. > School of Science and Technology > Psychology > Applied Health Psychology group |
Item ID: | 33750 |
Notes on copyright: | This is an Accepted Manuscript of an article published by Taylor & Francis in Psychology and Health on 02 Aug 2021, available online: http://www.tandfonline.com/10.1080/08870446.2021.1955119 |
Useful Links: | |
Depositing User: | Nicola Payne |
Date Deposited: | 24 Aug 2021 09:35 |
Last Modified: | 29 Nov 2022 17:46 |
URI: | https://eprints.mdx.ac.uk/id/eprint/33750 |
Actions (login required)
![]() |
View Item |
Statistics
Additional statistics are available via IRStats2.